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Mike Mainieri
Primarily recognized as an award-winning jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri’s equally remarkable talents as producer, performer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting edge in music.
During the ‘50s and early ‘60s, he performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Rich, Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Wes Montgomery. At the age of 20, he won Downbeat’s International Jazz Critic’s Award.
In 1962, he joined the ground-breaking jazz/rock group Jeremy & the Satyrs led by flutist Jeremy Steig. The Satyrs appeared at New York’s Club A-GoGo, and performed with such monumental figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix. During the late ‘60s, this small circle of performers grew into what became known as the White Elephant Orchestra, a 20-piece, all-star, experimental ensemble. The group featured such soloists Michael Brecker, Ronny Cuber, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff and Randy Brecker.
In the late 70s, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/fusion group Steps Ahead, which included previous cohorts Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd and Don Grolnick. Delving into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimental sounds and compositional integrity, Steps Ahead was and is a launching pad for young talent and new musical ideas.
Steps ‘alumni’ include appearances by such notable artists as:
Saxophonists: Michael Brecker, Bendik Hofseth, Rick Margitza, Donny McCaslin, Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, Bill Evans
Pianists: Don Grolnick, Warren Bernhardt, Eliane Elias, Kenny Kirkland, Rachel Z, George Whitty, Mitch Forman, Robbie Kilgore, George Whitty, Dave Kikoski, Joey Calderazzo
Guitarists: Mike Stern, Steve Khan, Chuck Loeb, Hiram Bullock, Dean Brown, Paul Jackson, Wayne Krantz, Jimi Tunnell
Bassists: Eddie Gomez, Tom Kennedy,Victor Bailey, Daryl Jones, Tony Levin, Jeff Andrews, James Genus, Baron Browne, Richie Goods, Marc Johnson, Ed Howard, Larry Grenadier, Scott Colley, Richard Bona
Drummers: Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Steve Smith, Rodney Holmes, Billy Kilson, Clarance Penn, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Ben Perosky
Vocalists: Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Richard Bona
Other noteworthy jazz collaborations have included recordings with Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Dave Liebman, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Joe Lovano, Jim Hall and Jane Monheit.
As a composer, arranger and performer, Mike has contributed to over 100 gold and platinum albums. An active participant in the rock and pop scenes, Mike produced and co-wrote three albums with Carly Simon, and recorded with Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Bonnie Raitt, George Benson, and on Don McClean’s classic album: American Pie.
In 1991, Mike brought to bear his vast experience with the creation of his own Jazz label NYC Records. The independent label is a vehicle for exposing new and established artists such as vocalist Luciana Souza, pianist Rachel Z, alto saxophonist Myron Walden and legendary tenor saxophonist, George Garzone.
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Luiz Millan: Brazilian Match
![Read "Brazilian Match" reviewed by Chris M. Slawecki](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/6ea94573186e03f0525ef466b78c5ea1.jpg)
by Chris M. Slawecki
Brazilian Match is a tour-de-force of classic and contemporary Brazilian music written by and featuring singer-songwriter Luiz Millan. Millan's fifth album is a leader is his first for Jazz Station Records and Brazilian jazz impresario Arnaldo DeSouteiro, whose storied history includes working with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Eumir Deodato, Dom Um Romão, João Donato, and other legends, and who called Millan a composer's composer." A great melodist who also happens to be a great poet, a fabulous storyteller; a ...
read moreRickie Lee Jones: Pieces of Treasure
![Read "Pieces of Treasure" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/cc3d1eda3f9352709a31d621a8b79060.jpg)
by Angelo Leonardi
È stata una relazione lunga e tormentata quella tra Rickie Lee Jones e il songbook jazzistico. Una relazione iniziata con le sue prime esibizioni pubbliche, oltre quarant'anni fa, che va avanti alimentata dall'amore, nonostante tutto. Diciamo questo perché la risposta di pubblico e critica è stata fredda e talvolta feroce. Jazz standards costellano molti suoi album e ne troviamo in particolare in Girl at Her Volcano del 1983 e in Pop Pop del 1991 ma solo oggi ...
read moreSteps Ahead, Mike Mainieri, Steve Khan, Metro and Mitchell Forman
![Read "Steps Ahead, Mike Mainieri, Steve Khan, Metro and Mitchell Forman" reviewed by Len Davis](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3ac0d7589c0e4860f645434b21a1ff9f.jpg)
by Len Davis
On today's show, we feature Steps Ahead and music from their Magnetic release, plus Mike Mainieri, Mitchell Forman and John Scofield.Playlist Steps Ahead Beirut" from Magnetic (Elektra) 00:00 Mike Mainieri Flying Colours" fromWanderlust (NYC) 06:12 Steve Khan Guy Lefleur" from Eyewitness (Antilles) 12:27 Metro Bing Bam Boom" from Tree People (Lipstick) 18:42 Mitchell Forman Lock It Up" from Hand Made (Lipstick) 24:48 Carl Filipiak Blue Entrance" from Peripheral Vision (Geometric) 30:52 Dieter Ilg} “Somersault" from <em>Summer Hill</em> (Lipstick) ...
read moreBendik Hofseth: Trunks
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by Friedrich Kunzmann
The first from a run of four albums, collectively titled Forest, Norwegian saxophonist Bendik Hofseth's Trunks sets a cozy tone which pairs minimal interplay with echoing acoustics in a modern mainstream jazz light. His sidemen all belong to the Norwegian jazz elite, most of whom have been recording together for years, prominently so for ECM. Hofseth partially dedicates the songs on the record to them. From subtle throw-back fusion to more contemplative aesthetics, the saxophonist's always through-designed compositions are given ...
read moreA Conversation with Mike Mainieri
![Read "A Conversation with Mike Mainieri" reviewed by Anthony Smith](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3ac0d7589c0e4860f645434b21a1ff9f.jpg)
by Anthony Smith
The following is an excerpt from the chapter A Conversation with Mike Mainieri" of Masters of the Vibes by Anthony Smith (Marimba Productions, 2017). So you've been working on a new project this week? Yes, just finishing some overdubs... it's a project I'm involved in with some friends, but I really can't talk about it right now. Sure. Also, my daughter and I performed at her school this week. She's a harpist ...
read moreRodrigo Lima: Saga
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by Chris M. Slawecki
I fell in love with the jazz guitar--all kinds of jazz guitarists, from Jim Hall to Pat Metheny to Luis Bonfá, by listening to their records," explains Brazilian composer, arranger, bandleader and guitarist Rodrigo Lima. Saga luxuriously extends this jazz guitar love affair across the American and Brazilian continents--it was recorded in New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba--and across the two CDs of Lima's utterly magnificent recorded debut. Producer Arnaldo DeSouteiro elegantly ...
read moreThe Complete Arista Albums Collection
![Read "The Complete Arista Albums Collection" reviewed by John Kelman](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/thebreckerbros_thecompletearistaalbumscollection_front.jpg)
by John Kelman
When fusion first emerged in the late 1960s/early '70s with artists like trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Chick Corea and guitarist John McLaughlin, the emphasis was on guitar and keyboard heavy lineups like Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra, with an equally strong predilection for the intensity and volume of rock and a kind of thundering funk that was different than the kind of music coming from R&B and soul artists like Stevie Wonder and Earth, Wind & Fire. Parallel to ...
read moreJazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3ac0d7589c0e4860f645434b21a1ff9f.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Mike Mainieri's birthday today!
Primarily recognized as an award-winning, jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri’s equally remarkable talents as producer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting-edge in music. Throughout his fruitful career—now spanning almost five decades—Mike has collaborated with the world’s most formidable jazz player’s produced numerous albums, and discovered a host of innovative, young talent. Raised in a family of performers and musicians, Mike’s training began early. At the age of 14, his ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3ac0d7589c0e4860f645434b21a1ff9f.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Mike Mainieri's birthday today!
Primarily recognized as an award-winning, jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri’s equally remarkable talents as producer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting-edge in music. Throughout his fruitful career—now spanning almost five decades—Mike has collaborated with the world’s most formidable jazz player’s produced numerous albums, and discovered a host of innovative, young talent. Raised in a family of performers and musicians, Mike’s training began early. At the age of 14, his ...
read more
Jazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri
![Jazz Musician of the Day: Mike Mainieri](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/3ac0d7589c0e4860f645434b21a1ff9f.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
All About Jazz is celebrating Mike Mainieri's birthday today!
Primarily recognized as an award-winning, jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri’s equally remarkable talents as producer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting-edge in music. Throughout his fruitful career—now spanning almost five decades—Mike has collaborated with the world’s most formidable jazz player’s produced numerous albums, and discovered a host of innovative, young talent. Raised in a family of performers and musicians, Mike’s training began early. At the age of 14, his ...
read more
Primary Instrument
Vibraphone
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Lili Añel
vocalsCollier & Dean
vibraphoneTom Collier
vibraphoneVincent Houdijk
vibraphoneKlecha-Fauré
vibraphoneEugene Dobrovolskyi
vibraphoneErich Fischer
vibraphoneModern Times Ensemble
band / ensemble / orchestraPhotos
Music
Andar Descalço (Barefoot) feat. Randy Brecker
From: Brazilian MatchBy Mike Mainieri
In the Grove of the Jacarandas
From: Brazilian MatchBy Mike Mainieri
Flying Waltz
From: SagaBy Mike Mainieri
Like Someone in Love
From: CrescentBy Mike Mainieri
The Brat
From: 2.0By Mike Mainieri
Don't Break Step
From: Twelve PiecesBy Mike Mainieri