Meet the Band
Meet the Band

Mimi Knowles
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Vocals & Co-Owner
Mimi is the charismatic driving force behind the Modern Retrospect stage experience. As a co-owner and magnetic frontman, he brings an undeniable, infectious energy that sets the tone for the entire event. His career has seen him share stages with global icons like T-Pain, Khalid, Charlie Puth, and Carrie Underwood, while also finding tremendous success in TV and film. With an inherent ability to energize a room and command the dance floor, Mimi’s entire focus is on creating an unforgettable, electric atmosphere that pulls every guest into the moment.

Mimi Knowles
|
Vocals & Co-Owner
Mimi is the charismatic driving force behind the Modern Retrospect stage experience. As a co-owner and magnetic frontman, he brings an undeniable, infectious energy that sets the tone for the entire event. His career has seen him share stages with global icons like T-Pain, Khalid, Charlie Puth, and Carrie Underwood, while also finding tremendous success in TV and film. With an inherent ability to energize a room and command the dance floor, Mimi’s entire focus is on creating an unforgettable, electric atmosphere that pulls every guest into the moment.

Angie Petty
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Vocals
Angie is the soulful, elegant heart of the Modern Retrospect. Highly sought after for her own acclaimed solo performances, she brings that same refined musicianship and rich vocal presence to the band’s stage. Whether she’s channeling the smooth textures of Norah Jones or the dynamic energy of Stevie Wonder, Angie has a natural gift for curating the perfect tone for every stage—knowing exactly how to lean into a moment to enhance the atmosphere without ever overpowering it.

Angie Petty
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Vocals
Angie is the soulful, elegant heart of the Modern Retrospect. Highly sought after for her own acclaimed solo performances, she brings that same refined musicianship and rich vocal presence to the band’s stage. Whether she’s channeling the smooth textures of Norah Jones or the dynamic energy of Stevie Wonder, Angie has a natural gift for curating the perfect tone for every stage—knowing exactly how to lean into a moment to enhance the atmosphere without ever overpowering it.

Micah Willis
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Vocals
Micah has built an eclectic career as a singer, musician, actor, and model. Born in Salt Lake City, his musical roots were established playing alongside his father, Grammy-nominated blues musician Kenny Neal. By age eight, Micah was already performing for audiences across the country, developing the playful, infectious energy he brings to the stage today. His credits include collaborations with members of The Killers, Tyga, and Dirty Loops. Outside of music, Micah is a seasoned actor whose work has been featured on the Disney Channel.

Micah Willis
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Vocals
Micah has built an eclectic career as a singer, musician, actor, and model. Born in Salt Lake City, his musical roots were established playing alongside his father, Grammy-nominated blues musician Kenny Neal. By age eight, Micah was already performing for audiences across the country, developing the playful, infectious energy he brings to the stage today. His credits include collaborations with members of The Killers, Tyga, and Dirty Loops. Outside of music, Micah is a seasoned actor whose work has been featured on the Disney Channel.

Evan Wharton
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Bass & Co-Owner
Evan is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and award-winning music educator whose performance & recording credits include collaborations with members of Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons and Tower of Power. A University of Utah music graduate, he has recorded, toured, and appeared on national television with the multi-platinum band Neon Trees. As the co-owner of Touchstone Talent, Evan pairs his musical background with a high-level professional oversight that helps define the Modern Retrospect experience and ensures the success of every event.

Evan Wharton
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Bass & Co-Owner
Evan is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and award-winning music educator whose performance & recording credits include collaborations with members of Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons and Tower of Power. A University of Utah music graduate, he has recorded, toured, and appeared on national television with the multi-platinum band Neon Trees. As the co-owner of Touchstone Talent, Evan pairs his musical background with a high-level professional oversight that helps define the Modern Retrospect experience and ensures the success of every event.

Rylee McDonald
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Guitar & Vocals
Rylee is an undisputed powerhouse on stage, striking a rare combination of world-class musicianship and a magnetic stage presence. He has toured the globe sharing stages with legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, Styx, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner. His jaw-dropping performance style brings a massive, stadium-level energy to every Modern Retrospect show, ensuring every guest is mesmerized from start to finish.

Rylee McDonald
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Guitar & Vocals
Rylee is an undisputed powerhouse on stage, striking a rare combination of world-class musicianship and a magnetic stage presence. He has toured the globe sharing stages with legends like Earth, Wind & Fire, Styx, Kansas, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner. His jaw-dropping performance style brings a massive, stadium-level energy to every Modern Retrospect show, ensuring every guest is mesmerized from start to finish.

Hayden Payne
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Saxophone
Hayden is the steady, disciplined bedrock of the Modern Retrospect horn section. His performance credits include appearances at Carnegie Hall and performances with members of Journey and the Dave Matthews Band. As a registered pilot and sought-after DJ, Hayden brings a unique mix of focus and spark to the stage—the kind that keeps the band’s energy grounded while knowing exactly when to let it loose.

Hayden Payne
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Saxophone
Hayden is the steady, disciplined bedrock of the Modern Retrospect horn section. His performance credits include appearances at Carnegie Hall and performances with members of Journey and the Dave Matthews Band. As a registered pilot and sought-after DJ, Hayden brings a unique mix of focus and spark to the stage—the kind that keeps the band’s energy grounded while knowing exactly when to let it loose.

Jared Ramos
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Trombone
Holding down the low end in the Modern Retrospect horn section, Jared is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist trained at the University of New Orleans. His playing is informed by his time spent performing in New Orleans and Brazil, leading to performances with notable Brazilian artists like Raça Negra and Jorge Aragão. Jared’s quiet mastery of his craft brings an effortlessly charming dynamic to the band.

Jared Ramos
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Trombone
Holding down the low end in the Modern Retrospect horn section, Jared is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist trained at the University of New Orleans. His playing is informed by his time spent performing in New Orleans and Brazil, leading to performances with notable Brazilian artists like Raça Negra and Jorge Aragão. Jared’s quiet mastery of his craft brings an effortlessly charming dynamic to the band.

Matt Wilson
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Drums
Matt is the engine behind Modern Retrospect. He’s spent years touring the country, sharing stages with major acts like The 1975, Sublime With Rome, and Action Bronson. He brings that same high-level touring energy with him to every stage, ensuring any event he plays feels like a headline concert experience. As a University of Utah Jazz Composition graduate and a long-time staple in the local Salt Lake City music scene, Matt combines deep and diverse technical skill with a performance style that’s impossible to ignore.

Matt Wilson
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Drums
Matt is the engine behind Modern Retrospect. He’s spent years touring the country, sharing stages with major acts like The 1975, Sublime With Rome, and Action Bronson. He brings that same high-level touring energy with him to every stage, ensuring any event he plays feels like a headline concert experience. As a University of Utah Jazz Composition graduate and a long-time staple in the local Salt Lake City music scene, Matt combines deep and diverse technical skill with a performance style that’s impossible to ignore.

Tom Young
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Trumpet
Hailing from New Canaan, Connecticut, Tom is an acclaimed trumpet player, studio musician, and performance artist. While studying at The New School in New York City, he was mentored by jazz icons Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. After years of performing professionally across the globe, Tom relocated to Utah to study Commercial Music. His technical prowess and sophisticated sound make him a crucial part of the Modern Retrospect horn section.

Tom Young
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Trumpet
Hailing from New Canaan, Connecticut, Tom is an acclaimed trumpet player, studio musician, and performance artist. While studying at The New School in New York City, he was mentored by jazz icons Harry Connick Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. After years of performing professionally across the globe, Tom relocated to Utah to study Commercial Music. His technical prowess and sophisticated sound make him a crucial part of the Modern Retrospect horn section.

Christian Lucy
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Keyboards
Christian is a highly versatile keyboardist with a foundation in classical piano and a gift for creative improvisation. His career is marked by high-profile appearances ranging from supporting Tim McGraw to featured performances at the NBA All-Star Weekend 2023. With a mastery of styles that spans from R&B and reggae to jazz and pop, Christian effortlessly adapts to meet the energy of any room.

Christian Lucy
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Keyboards
Christian is a highly versatile keyboardist with a foundation in classical piano and a gift for creative improvisation. His career is marked by high-profile appearances ranging from supporting Tim McGraw to featured performances at the NBA All-Star Weekend 2023. With a mastery of styles that spans from R&B and reggae to jazz and pop, Christian effortlessly adapts to meet the energy of any room.




