Take Five With Mike Mainieri

AAJ Staff

Contributor since 1995

Various staff members.

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Published: July 30, 2009

Meet 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 '50s and early '60s, he performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Rich Buddy Rich
1917 - 1987
drums , Billie Holiday Billie Holiday
1915 - 1959
vocal , Dizzy Gillespie Dizzy Gillespie
1917 - 1993
trumpet , Coleman Hawkins Coleman Hawkins
1904 - 1969
sax, tenor , and Wes Montgomery Wes Montgomery
1925 - 1968
guitar . At the age of 20, he won Down Beat's International Jazz Critic's Award.

In 1962, he joined the ground breaking jazz/rock group Jeremy & the Satyrs led by flutist Jeremy Steig Jeremy Steig
b.1942
flute . The Satyrs appeared at New York's Club A-GoGo, and performed with such monumental figures as Frank Zappa Frank Zappa
1940 - 1993
guitar, electric , Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix
1942 - 1970
guitar, electric . 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 Michael Brecker
1949 - 2007
sax, tenor , Ronny Cuber, Jon Faddis Jon Faddis
b.1953
trumpet , Lew Soloff Lew Soloff
b.1944
trumpet and Randy Brecker Randy Brecker
b.1945
trumpet .

In the late '70s, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/fusion group Steps Ahead, which included previous cohorts Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez Eddie Gomez
b.1944
bass , Steve Gadd Steve Gadd
b.1945
drums and Don Grolnick Don Grolnick
1947 - 1996
piano . 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 Rick Margitza
b.1961
sax, tenor , Donny McCaslin Donny McCaslin
b.1966
saxophone , Bob Mintzer Bob Mintzer
b.1953
saxophone , Bob Berg Bob Berg
1951 - 2002
saxophone , Bill Evans (saxophone) Bill Evans (saxophone)
b.1958
saxophone
Pianists: Don Grolnick Don Grolnick
1947 - 1996
piano , Warren Bernhardt Warren Bernhardt
b.1938
piano , Eliane Elias Eliane Elias
b.1960
piano , Kenny Kirkland Kenny Kirkland
1955 - 1998
piano , Rachel Z. Rachel Z.
, George Whitty, Mitchel Forman Mitchel Forman
b.1956
piano , Robbie Kilgore, Dave Kikoski, Joey Calderazzo Joey Calderazzo
b.1965
piano .
Guitarists: Mike Stern Mike Stern
b.1953
guitar , Steve Khan Steve Khan
b.1947
guitar , Chuck Loeb Chuck Loeb
b.1955
guitar , Hiram Bullock Hiram Bullock
1955 - 2008
guitar, electric , Dean Brown Dean Brown
b.1955
guitar , Paul Jackson Paul Jackson
b.1947 , Wayne Krantz Wayne Krantz
b.1956
guitar , Jimi Tunnell.
Bassists: Eddie Gomez, Tom Kennedy Tom Kennedy
b.1960
bass , Victor Bailey Victor Bailey
b.1960
bass, electric , Daryl Jones, Tony Levin Tony Levin
b.1940
bass, electric , Jeff Andrews Jeff Andrews
b.1960 , James Genus James Genus
b.1966
bass , Baron Browne, Richie Goods, Marc Johnson Marc Johnson
b.1953
bass , Ed Howard Ed Howard

bass , Larry Grenadier, Scott Colley Scott Colley

bass , Richard Bona Richard Bona
b.1967
bass, electric .
Drummers: Steve Gadd Steve Gadd
b.1945
drums , Peter Erskine Peter Erskine
b.1954
drums , Steve Smith Steve Smith
b.1954
drums , Rodney Holmes, Billy Kilson Billy Kilson
b.1962
drums , Clarance Penn, Jeff "Tain" Watts Jeff "Tain" Watts
b.1960
drums , Ben Perosky.
Vocalists: Dianne Reeves Dianne Reeves
b.1956
vocal , Bobby McFerrin Bobby McFerrin
b.1950
vocal , Richard Bona.

Other noteworthy jazz collaborations have included recordings with Joe Henderson Joe Henderson
1937 - 2001
sax, tenor , Art Farmer Art Farmer
1928 - 1999
flugelhorn , Dave Liebman Dave Liebman
b.1946
saxophone , Al Jarreau Al Jarreau
b.1940
vocal , David Sanborn David Sanborn
b.1945
saxophone , Marcus Miller Marcus Miller
b.1959
bass, electric , Joe Lovano Joe Lovano
b.1952
saxophone , Jim Hall Jim Hall
b.1930
guitar and Jane Monheit Jane Monheit
b.1977
vocal . 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 (EMI, 1971).

In 1991, Mike brought to bear his vast experience with the creation of his own Jazz label NYC Records Inc. 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. Mike is still active touring worldwide with his group Steps Ahead, guesting in workshops and various recording projects.

Recently Mike reorganized a collective quintet which performed in the early '70s called L'Image, and features drummer Steve Gadd, bassist Tony Levin, keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, guitarist David Spinozza and Mike on vibes. Their latest CD and the NYC Records catalog can be found at: www.mikemainieri.com or www.nycrecords.com.

Instrument(s):
Vibraphone and marimba.

Teachers and/or influences?
Teachers: Lem Leach (vibraphone); Phil Kraus (mallets), Doug Allen and Ted Reed (drums); and Alfred Friese (timpani).

Influences: Red Norvo Red Norvo
1908 - 1999
vibraphone , Lionel Hampton Lionel Hampton
1908 - 2002
vibraphone , Milt Jackson Milt Jackson
1923 - 1999
vibraphone .

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
As long as I can remember. I began playing professionally at the age of 14 in 1952 when I appeared with my jazz trio on the Paul Whiteman Teen Club TV & Radio show. I've been performing ever since.

Your sound and approach to music:
I played acoustic vibes in the '40s, '50s and early '60s, until I began performing with the jazz/rock group Jeremy Steig and the Satyrs in the early '60s.

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