Mike Mainieri

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 own jazz trio was touring with the PAUL WHITEMAN ORCHESTRA, and by 17 he was playing and arranging for Buddy Rich’s sextet- -a tenure which continued up until 1962. During this period, he also played with such legendary artists as Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Wes Montgomery, and at the age of 18 he won the International Jazz Critic’s Award.

As a solo artist, Mike has created and contributed to countless, visionary artistic endeavors. In 1962, he joined the ground-breaking jazz/rock group JEREMY & THE SATYRS led by flutist Jeremy Steig Jeremy Steig
b.1942
flute . Along with Warren Bernhardt Warren Bernhardt
b.1938
piano , Donald MacDonald, Adrian Guilery, and Eddie Gomez Eddie Gomez
b.1944
bass , THE SATYRS jammed at New York’s Club Go Go, and performed with such monumental figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix. During the late 60’s, 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 George Young, Frank Vacari, Michael Brecker Michael Brecker
1949 - 2007
sax, tenor , and Ronny Cuber —saxes; Jon Faddis Jon Faddis
b.1953
trumpet , Lew Soloff Lew Soloff
b.1944
trumpet , and Randy Brecker Randy Brecker
b.1945
trumpet —trumpets; Barry Rogers, Jon Pierson—trombones; as well as, Steve Gadd Steve Gadd
b.1945
drums , Tony Levin Tony Levin
b.1940
bass, electric , Donald MacDonald, Warren Bernhardt, Joe Beck Joe Beck
1945 - 2008
guitar , David Spinozza, and Hugh McCraken in the rhythm section. Under Mike’s direction, this jazz/rock big band evolved into a laboratory for experimentation with various musical forms, ideas, and philosophies. From 1969-1972, the WHITE ELEPHANT clan of New York’s finest musicians jammed, and recorded at studios throughout the city, and its energy spawned many musical directions for the decades to follow, including DREAMS, ARS NOVA, BRECKER BROTHERS, L’IMAGES, etc.

During the late 70’s, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/ fusion groups STEPS AHEAD, which included previous cohorts Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd and Don Grolnick Don Grolnick
1947 - 1996
piano . Delving into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimentation and compositional integrity, STEPS AHEAD was, and is, a launching-pad for young talent and new musical ideas. STEPS Alumni include Peter Erskine Peter Erskine
b.1954
drums , Eliane Elias Eliane Elias
b.1960
piano , Rachel Z. Rachel Z.
, Victor Bailey Victor Bailey
b.1960
bass, electric , Warren Bernhardt, Chuck Loeb Chuck Loeb
b.1955
guitar , Daryl Jones, Mike Stern Mike Stern
b.1953
guitar and Jimi Tunnel. Other noteworthy collaborations have included recordings with Joe Henderson, Marcus Miller, Joe Lovano, Larry Coryell, and Jim Hall, just to name a few.

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, he’s worked with Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, James Taylor, Dire Staits, and Bonnie Raitt. He’s Produced albums for George Benson and Andy Summers, and STEPS AHEAD Alumni, Norweigan saxophonist Bendik, and pianist Rachel Z.

In 1992, Mike brought to bear his vast experience with the creation of NYC RECORDS. An extension of himself, the independent label is a vehicle for exposing new ideas grounded in the jazz idiom. With the hip, fresh sounds of Zachary Breaux and Rachel Z; saxophonists George Garzone George Garzone
b.1950
sax, tenor and Myron Walden Myron Walden
b.1972
saxophone ; the eclectic, musical cacophony of Philip DeGruy's solo guitar; and Mike’s own projects Mike Mainieri, AN AMERICAN DIARY series—featuring Joe Lovano, George Garzone, Eddie Gomez, and Peter Erskine—and the ever evolving STEPS AHEAD group.