DIEGO
Lead Singer, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica, Tambourine
Diego was "talked into" performing by long time friend Gary Oshust, but never seemed to make a connection with any real musicians who were motivated enough to undertake a long-term musical direction, until by chance he met "Trapper John" in the fall of 2000. It was John who put together the first of several groups Diego would front over the next few years; groups such as De Ja Kool, Blind Ride, Hard Drive, The Goodfellas and Holland Swing.

During his time with Holland Swing he met several future Soulz and a great bond was created, the rest is music history. Diego can often be caught "sitting in" with great local bands such as Entourage, Eddy Curtis & The Moment's Notice, as well as great musician friends Wally Michaels, Jack Wilkins, Mike Patterson and Kevin Murphy. He's been called the Cuban Sam Cooke, and is heavily influenced by Sam, Elvis, Bobby Darin, Tom Jones, Jay Black and Tony Orlando. "Life's a party and somebody has to entertain" - Diego.

TIM DENBESTEN "Mr. Fabulous"
Trumpet, Background/Lead Vocals, Hand Percussion
Tim was born in Iowa but calls Holland his "home" town. He began playing the trumpet at the tender age of nine in his grade school band. In college, he played first trumpet in the Grand Valley State Jazz Orchestra and was the principle trumpeter in the University of Michigan all-campus symphony orchestra. Tim has been a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, the Zeeland Community Band and the Holland Swing Band.

Tim can be found on occasion sitting in with local groups including Eddy Curtis and a Moments Notice, Entourage, or even Jazz gigs featuring Diego, Wally Michaels and Jack Wilkins. Tim also plays at weddings and church services, and has been known to record, engineer and produce CDs for other area entertainers. Tim is married and enjoys the support of his wife and two wonderful children.

JOHN ARENDSHORST M.D. “Doc”
Lead Guitar, 12 String Guitar, Backing Vocals
John has played guitar in high school, college and beyond with a variety of bands and musical styles including blues, rock, soul, bluegrass, folk and jazz over the past 40+ years. Following his education, he returned to Holland as an eye surgeon, husband, and dad of two remarkable soulz.

John has been with the Soulz of Rhythm, enjoying the band’s breadth and depth of music, since 2006. Musical influences are many and varied, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Roger McGuinn, David Gilmour, Paul/George/John, Michael Bloomfield, Julian Bream, B. B. King, and Muddy Waters, among others.

John occasionally plays with smaller blues groups, with folk/bluegrass ensembles, and sits in with Diego and friends in local jazz/blues venues.

WALLY MICHAELS
Keyboards
Wally began playing piano at age 3. When he was 7 years old, he appeared on a Cleveland Ohio television program, The Gene Carroll Talent Hour, which featured local entertainers in a talent competition, where he won first place. At 13, he joined a local high school Motown band, called The Midnite Hour, and by the time he was 16, the group had become one of the top local bands for high schools and college events. At 18, he joined a show group called The Generation Gap, which toured the country performing in the Midwest’s premier hotels and show Lounges. While performing in the Chicago area a few times, he quickly fell in love with that city and its music scene, and decided to relocate there. After working with a few local Top 40 bands, he discovered Chicago style piano bars, and for the next 25 years, performed in most of Chicagoland’s top piano bar clubs. He later decided to seek a quieter life style for himself and his family, and relocated to West coast Michigan, and to his delight, has met some amazing musicians to perform with, whom have made him feel right at home.

EARL TOLLIVER
Drums
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Earl Tolliver, Jr. is a true West Michigan native. Earl is an accomplished musician who has shared the stage with a many musicians including Joe Walsh, Buddy Guy, Larry McCray, and the Verve Pipe. He has been a member of many bands including Domestic Problems, Gypsy, Azz-Izz, and Left Coast Blues.

At the age of 9, Earl's parents bought him a drum set and he taught himself to play. While drums are his first love, he has also mastered and played bass professionally for over 20 years. In 2004, after a decade of absence from the drums, Earl purchased another kit. It took just a couple of months of practicing in the basement to brush up on his craft and hit the drumming circuit, performing with a number of bands.

Earl can keep the rhythm to many types of music including 60's to 80's rock, Motown, jazz, R&B, and today's pop sounds. Earl's inspiration and motivation to perform come from great performers including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock, and Jimi Hendrix.

MARK HICKS
Bass
Born, and currently living in the Western Michigan area, Mark has always had a unique connection to music. His father at one time traveled the country as a gospel musician, and a brother considered by many to be a child prodigy on lead guitar, while still in elementary school. Mark gladly followed by picking up the bass guitar. To this day, many years and life experiences later, the music remains as a major element of the journey. He has often shared the stage with the Rick Hicks band, led by his legendary brother, and also performed with the all original alternative band Peace On Mars. Whether jazz, blues, classical or soul, all genres known and those yet to be discovered, making music is a passion for this bass player. In his words ~ Good music makes the world a better place; I feel privileged to be a part of the process.

ED WALTERS
Sound Engineer