Mainieri, Mike (4th July 1938-Present)

He is a vibraphonist, singer, producer, composer, music director and arranger born Michael T. Mainieri Jr. in the Bronx, New York City, who came from a musical family and learned how to perform from an early age.

He began his musical career when he was 14 by touring with his own jazz trio, Two Kings & a Queen, and the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. This was followed by winning the International Jazz Critic’s Award when he was 18, which happened after he had joined up with Buddy Rich as a member of his sextet, who he stayed with for several years until 1962. That same year he became a member of Jeremy & The Satyrs who would eventually evolve into the White Elephant Orchestra and have members such as Steve Gadd, David Spinozza. Hugh McCracken and Michael and Randy Brecker.

The late 1970s saw him founding the jazz fusion Stepes Ahead.

During his career the artists and groups he has performed with are numerous but a few of them are Aerosmith, Stephen Bishop, Luiz Bonfa, Marc Cohn, Dawn, Georgie Fame, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Grolnick, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Holliday, Janis Ian, Billy Joel, Van McCoy, Wes Montgomery, Laura Nyro, Tony Orlando, Bonnie Raitt, David Sanborn, Ben Sidran, Andy Summers, James Taylor and Frank Zappa.

Featuring on more then 100 platinum and gold recordings he has been heard on albums such as his own Insight, White Elephant, Love Play, American Diary, Wanderlust and Northern Lightsand also Livin’ Inside Your Love by George Benson, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits, Will Downing by Will Downing, Up ‘Til Now by Art Garfunkel, 52^nd Street by Billy Joel, Local Hero by Mark Knopfler, American Pie by Don McLean, Living in the U.S.A. by Linda Ronstadt and Studio Recordings 1972-2000 by Paul Simon to name just several of many.

As a producer he has worked on album releases by George Benson and Carly Simon.

He founded the independent NYC Records in 1992, which focuses on jazz music of the modern age and is also credited as pioneering the synth-vibe, which is an electronic vibrophone. His wife is the harpist and singer-songwriter Dee Carstensen.

Linda Ronstadt recordings
Back in the U.S.A. (Chuck Berry)

Sources:

Mainieri, Mike (4th July 1938-Present)

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