# Mike Mainieri has created and contributed to countless, visionary artistic endeavors: Video

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2018/07/04/mike-mainieri-has-created-and-contributed-to-countless-visionary-artistic-endeavors-video/
- Published: 2018-07-04T00:02:15+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**04.07. – Happy Birthday !!! 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. Along with Warren Bernhardt, Donald MacDonald, Adrian
Guilery, and Eddie Gomez, 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, and Ronny Cuber —saxes; Jon
Faddis, Lew Soloff, and Randy Brecker—trumpets; Barry Rogers, Jon Pierson—trombones;
as well as, Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Donald MacDonald, Warren Bernhardt, Joe Beck,
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. 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, Eliane Elias, Rachel 
Z., Victor Bailey, Warren Bernhardt, Chuck Loeb, Daryl Jones, Mike Stern 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 and Myron Walden; 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.

![Похожее изображение](https://i0.wp.com/www.jazzenzo.nl/images/
concertfotos/mike_mainieri_02_lv2012_foto_c_maarten_mooijman.jpg?w=640)

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