Mike Mainieri

Last updated
Mike Mainieri
Mike Mainieri Cosmopolite (204846).jpg
Mainieri in 2016.
Background information
Birth nameMike Mainieri
Born (1938-07-04) July 4, 1938 (age 85)
The Bronx, New York, United States
Genres Jazz, Jazz fusion, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, label owner
Instrument(s) vibraphone, keyboards
Years active1952–present
Labels Elektra Musician, NYC
Website www.nycrecords.com

Michael T. Mainieri Jr. (born July 4, 1938) [1] is an American vibraphonist, known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead. [1] He is married to the singer-songwriter and harpist Dee Carstensen. [2]

Contents

Biography

Mainieri was born in The Bronx, New York, United States. [1] Mainieri was a pioneer in introducing an electronic vibraphone, known as a synth-vibe, and has recorded with such musicians as Buddy Rich, Wes Montgomery and Jeremy Steig. [1] He performed for a live album by Laura Nyro and was featured on several tracks from the Dire Straits album, Love Over Gold (1982), [3] as well as on "Ride Across the River" on the album Brothers in Arms (1985). [4] He performed on the albums Heads by Bob James, Heart to Heart by David Sanborn, [5] and Tiger in the Rain by Michael Franks. [6]

He has also released numerous albums and videos as a leader for a variety of labels, most notably his 1980 album for Warner Bros. titled Wanderlust, which featured Michael Brecker and other members of Steps Ahead. [1] He produced three albums for Carly Simon. Mainieri married singer-songwriter/harpist Dee Carstensen in 1993.

Discography

Mike Mainieri with Bendik Hofseth, Cosmopolite Scene, Oslo, 2016. Mike Mainieri Cosmopolite (204247).jpg
Mike Mainieri with Bendik Hofseth, Cosmopolite Scene, Oslo, 2016.

As leader

As a member

With Arista All Stars

  • Blue Montreux (Arista, 1979) – live

With Steps Ahead

Studio albums

  • Step by Step (1980)
  • Steps Ahead (1983)
  • Modern Times (1984)
  • Magnetic (1986)
  • N.Y.C. (1989)
  • Yin-Yang (1992)
  • Vibe (1994)
  • Steppin Out (2016)

Live albums

  • Smokin' in the Pit (1980)
  • Paradox (1982)
  • Live in Tokyo 1986 (1986)
  • Holding Together: Live in Europe 1999 (2002)

As sideman

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1593. ISBN   0-85112-939-0.
  2. ↑ Garner, Dwight (February 6, 2008). "Living With Music: A Playlist by Meghan Daum". The New York Times . Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Love Over Gold - Dire Straits | Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits | Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Heart to Heart - David Sanborn | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Tiger in the Rain - Michael Franks | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Seventh Avenue South- Der Jazzclub der Brecker Brothers von 1977-1987". Jazzband-live.de. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
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