Michael T. Mainieri Jr. (born July 4, 1938) is an American vibraphonist, known for his work with the jazz fusion group

Steps Ahead Steps Ahead is an American jazz fusion group. History The group arose out of spontaneous sessions at Seventh Avenue South, a jazz club in New York City owned by saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter brother Randy Brecker. The first three al ...

. He is married to the singer-songwriter and harpist

Dee Carstensen Dee Carstensen is a New York City-based alternative music singer-songwriter and harpist. Career Carstensen's singing and songwriting talents were discovered by vibist Mike Mainieri, with whom she is married. Her debut album ''Beloved One'', rel ...

Biography

Mainieri was born in

The Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New Y ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, United States. Mainieri was a pioneer in introducing an electronic

vibraphone The vibraphone is a percussion instrument in the metallophone family. It consists of tuned metal bars and is typically played by using mallets to strike the bars. A person who plays the vibraphone is called a ''vibraphonist,'' ''vibraharpist,' ...

, known as a synth-vibe, and has recorded with such musicians as Buddy Rich,

Wes Montgomery John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery (March 6, 1923 – June 15, 1968) was an American jazz guitarist. Montgomery was known for an unusual technique of plucking the strings with the side of his thumb and his extensive use of octaves, which gave him a dist ...

and Jeremy Steig. He performed for a live album by Laura Nyro and was featured on several tracks from the

Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums and percuss ...

album, ''

Love Over Gold ''Love over Gold'' is the fourth studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released on 24 September 1982 by Vertigo Records internationally and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album featured two singles: "Private Investig ...

'' (1982), as well as on " Ride Across the River" on the album '' Brothers in Arms'' (1985). He performed on the albums ''Heads'' by Bob James, ''Heart to Heart'' by David Sanborn, and ''

Tiger in the Rain ''Tiger in the Rain'' is an album by singer-songwriter Michael Franks, released in 1979 on Warner Bros. It was his first album not produced by Tommy LiPuma, Al Schmitt, and Lee Hershberg. The album was arranged and produced by John Simon. Fran ...

'' by Michael Franks. He has also released numerous albums and videos as a leader for a variety of labels, most notably his 1980 album for

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Di ...

titled ''Wanderlust'', which featured Michael Brecker and other members of

. He produced three albums for

Carly Simon Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, memoirist, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records; her 13 Top 40 U.S. hits include "Anticipation" (No. 13), " The Right Thin ...

. Mainieri married singer-songwriter/harpist

in 1993.

Discography

As leader

* ''

Blues on the Other Side ''Creating Blues on the Other Side'' is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri recorded in 1962 and released on the Argo label.

'' (Argo, 1963) (as The Mike Manieri Quartet) * ''

Journey Thru an Electric Tube ''Journey Thru an Electric Tube'' is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri first released in 1968 on the Solid State label.Payne, D.Sonny Lester discographyaccessed March 16, 2018 Steps Ahead Steps Ahead is an American jazz fusion group. History The group arose out of spontaneous sessions at Seventh Avenue South, a jazz club in New York City owned by saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter brother Randy Brecker. The first three al ...

Studio albums * ''Step by Step'' (1980) * ''

'' (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

With

* ''

Love over Gold ''Love over Gold'' is the fourth studio album by British rock band Dire Straits, released on 24 September 1982 by Vertigo Records internationally and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The album featured two singles: "Private Investig ...

'' (Vertigo, 1982) * '' Brothers in Arms'' (Vertigo, 1985) – recorded in 1984-85 With Eliane Elias * '' Dreamer'' (Bluebird, 2004) * '' Dance of Time'' (Concord, 2017) With

Art Farmer Arthur Stewart Farmer (August 21, 1928 – October 4, 1999) was an American jazz trumpeter and flugelhorn player. He also played flumpet, a trumpet–flugelhorn combination especially designed for him. He and his identical twin brother, double ...

* '' Big Blues'' with Jim Hall (CTI, 1979) – recorded in 1978 * ''

Yama Yama (Devanagari: यम) or Yamarāja (यमराज), is a deity of death, dharma, the south direction, and the underworld who predominantly features in Hindu and Buddhist religion, belonging to an early stratum of Rigvedic Hindu deities ...

'' with

Joe Henderson Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent l ...

(CTI, 1979) With Michael Franks * ''

'' (Warner Bros., 1979) – recorded in 1978 * '' Time Together'' (Shanachie, 2011) With

Tim Hardin James Timothy Hardin (December 23, 1941 – December 29, 1980) was an American folk and blues musician and composer. As well as releasing his own material, several of his songs, including " If I Were a Carpenter" and "Reason to Believe", becam ...

* ''

Tim Hardin 4 '' Tim Hardin 4 ''is an album by folk artist Tim Hardin, released in 1969. Erik Jacobsen recorded these Blues songs as a demo with Tim, John Sebastian, Sticks Evans, and Bob Bushnell in 1964. They were not issued until 1969. The songs are in a str ...

'' (Verve, 1969) * '' Bird on a Wire'' (Columbia, 1971) With Don McLean * '' American Pie'' (United Artists, 1971) * ''

Playin' Favorites ''Playin' Favorites'' is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Don McLean, released in 1973. It was re-issued by BGO Records in 1995. Track listing Side A #"Sitting on Top of the World" (Bo Carter, Little Walter) #"Living With ...

'' (United Artists, 1973) With Buddy Rich * '' Buddy Rich Just Sings'' (Verve, 1957) * ''

Richcraft ''Richcraft'' is a 1959 studio album, studio big band album by Buddy Rich and a big band / orchestra with arrangements by Ernie Wilkins. A nearly identical album, titled ''The Rich Rebellion'' was released by Wing Records without "I Want a Littl ...

'' (Mercury, 1959) * '' The Driver'' (EmArcy, 1960) * ''

Playtime ''Playtime'' (stylized as ''PlayTime'' and also written as ''Play Time'') is a 1967 comedy film directed by Jacques Tati. In the film, Tati again plays Monsieur Hulot, the popular character who had central roles in his earlier films ''Les Vacanc ...

'' (Argo, 1961) – recorded in 1960 * ''

Blues Caravan ''Blues Caravan'' is a 1962 studio album by Buddy Rich and a sextet. Rich later took this sextet on a United States Department of State tour of the Far East and Asia. Track listing LP side A #"Blowin' the Blues Away" (Horace Silver) – 8:40 #" ...

'' (Verve, 1962) – recorded in 1961 With

* ''

Spy Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence) from non-disclosed sources or divulging of the same without the permission of the holder of the information for a tangib ...

'' (Elektra, 1979) * ''

Come Upstairs ''Come Upstairs'' is the ninth studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Warner Bros. Records, on June 16, 1980. It was the first of her three albums for Warner Bros. and it has a harder, more rock-oriented sound than ...

'' (Warner Bros., 1980) * '' Torch'' (Warner Bros., 1981) * ''

Hello Big Man ''Hello Big Man'' is the 11th studio album by American singer-songwriter Carly Simon, released by Warner Bros. Records, on August 31, 1983. The album was Simon's last for Warner Bros. (and for what became the Warner Music Group, having also spe ...

'' (Warner Bros., 1983) With

Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter and actor whose career has spanned six decades. He is one of the most acclaimed songwriters in popular music, both as a solo artist and as half of folk roc ...

* ''

'' (Columbia, 1972) – recorded in 1971 * ''

Hearts and Bones ''Hearts and Bones'' is the sixth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was released in 1983 by Warner Bros. Records. Background The album was originally intended to be called ''Think Too Much'', but Mo Ostin, president ...

'' (Warner Bros., 1983) – recorded in 1981-83 With

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

* ''

What's New!!! ''What's New!!!'' (subtitled ''Sonny Stitt Plays the Varitone'') is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's first recorded use of the varitone, an electronic amplificat ...

'' (Roulette, 1966) * ''

I Keep Comin' Back! ''I Keep Comin' Back!'' (subtitled ''Sonny Stitt on the Varitone'') is an album by saxophonist Sonny Stitt recorded in 1966 and released on the Roulette label. The album represents Stitt's second album featuring the varitone, an electronic amplif ...

'' (Roulette, 1966) With Kazumi Watanabe * ''

To Chi Ka ''To Chi Ka'' is a fusion album by Kazumi Watanabe. It was recorded and mixed in March 1980 during a very prolific period for Watanabe and then released in May 1980. The album features some of the most acclaimed jazz and rock musicians; part of the ...

'' (Columbia, 1980) * ''

Dogatana ''Dogatana'' is a 1981 album by Japanese jazz guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. As usual for Watanabe, it features many acclaimed musicians. The album, compared to other Watanabe works, has a very acoustic sound and is characterized by peculiar guitar "d ...

'' (Denon, 1981) * '' One for All'' (Polydor, 1999) – live * ''Lotus Night'' (Warner Music, 2016) – live With others *

Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (lead vocals), Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums) and Brad Whi ...

, '' Toys in the Attic'' (Columbia, 1975) - conductor * Manny Albam, ''

The Soul of the City ''The Soul of the City'' is an album by American jazz arranger and conductor Manny Albam featuring performances recorded in 1966 and originally issued on the Solid State label.Payne, D.Sonny Lester discographyaccessed April 14, 2015

'' (Solid State, 1966) * George Benson, ''

Livin' Inside Your Love ''Livin' Inside Your Love'' is the seventeenth album by jazz guitarist George Benson which was released in 1979. In the United States, it was certified Gold by the RIAA. Track listing Side A # "Livin' Inside Your Love" (Earl Klugh) – 6:37 # " H ...

'' (Warner Bros., 1979) * Stephen Bishop, ''

Red Cab to Manhattan ''Red Cab to Manhattan'' is the third album by singer/songwriter Stephen Bishop and his first for Warner Bros. Unlike his previous two albums, '' Careless'' and ''Bish'', none of its tracks nor the album itself cracked the top 100 on the ''Billb ...

'' (Warner Bros., 1980) * Kenny Burrell, ''

A Generation Ago Today ''A Generation Ago Today'' is an album by guitarist Kenny Burrell featuring standards associated with the Benny Goodman Sextet and Charlie Christian recorded in 1966 and 1967 and released on the Verve label.Marc Cohn, ''

The Rainy Season ''The Rainy Season'' is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, released in 1993. The album peaked at number 63 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart and at number 24 on the UK charts. Track listing All tracks written by Mar ...

'' (Atlantic, 1993) * Paul Desmond, '' Summertime'' (CTI, 1968) * Urbie Green, '' The Fox'' (CTI, 1976) * Jake Holmes, ''How Much Time'' (Columbia, 1972) * Janis Ian, '' Night Rains'' (Columbia, 1979) – recorded in 1978 * Bob James, ''

Heads A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may no ...

'' (Tappan Zee, 1977) * Garland Jeffreys, '' Garland Jeffreys'' (Atlantic, 1973) *

Billy Joel William Martin Joel (born May 9, 1949) is an American singer, pianist and songwriter. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man (song), Piano Man" after his album and signature song of the same name, he has led a commercially successful career as a solo ...

, ''

52nd Street 52nd Street is a -long one-way street traveling west to east across Midtown Manhattan, New York City. A short section of it was known as the city's center of jazz performance from the 1930s to the 1950s. Jazz center Following the repeal of ...

'' (Columbia, 1978) *

Etta Jones Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Gene A ...

, ''

Etta Jones Sings ''Etta Jones Sings'' (aka ''Etta Jones Sings with Junior Mance and Kenny Burrell'') is an album by jazz vocalist Etta Jones which was recorded in 1965 and released on the Roulette Records, Roulette label.Mark Knopfler, '' Local Hero'' (Vertigo, 1983) – recorded in 1982 *

Nils Lofgren Nils Hilmer Lofgren (born June 21, 1951) is an American rock musician, recording artist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Along with his work as a solo artist, he has been a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band since 1984, a membe ...

, ''

I Came to Dance ''I Came to Dance'' is the third solo studio album from Nils Lofgren. Track listing All tracks composed by Nils Lofgren; except where indicated # "I Came to Dance" 4:30 # "Rock Me at Home" 4:30 # "Home Is Where the Hurt Is" 4:12 # "Code of the ...

'' (A&M Records, 1977) *

Pat Martino Pat Martino (born Patrick Carmen Azzara; August 25, 1944 – November 1, 2021) was an American jazz guitarist and composer. Biography Martino was born Patrick Carmen Azzara in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, to father Carmen "Mickey" ...

, ''

Starbright ''Starbright'' is an album by guitarist Pat Martino which was recorded in 1976 and first released on the Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. label. Reception The AllMusic site rated the album with 3 stars.

'' (Warner Bros., 1976) *

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

, ''

Kisses on the Bottom ''Kisses on the Bottom'' is the fifteenth solo studio album by Paul McCartney, consisting primarily of covers of traditional pop music and jazz. Released in February 2012 on Starbucks' Hear Music label, it was McCartney's first studio album s ...

'' (Hear Music, 2012) * Brother Jack McDuff, ''

Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring? ''Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?'' is an album by American organist Brother Jack McDuff recorded in 1970 and released on the Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note, 1970) *

Marcus Miller William Henry Marcus Miller Jr. (born June 14, 1959) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for his work as a bassist. He has worked with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock, singer Luther Vandros ...

, '' Suddenly'' (Warner Bros., 1983) * Monday Orchestra, ''Never Alone: The Music of Michael Brecker'' (Barnum For Art, 2018) – recorded in 2017 *

, ''

Down Here on the Ground ''Down Here on the Ground'' is an album by the jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, released in 1968. It reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Jazz album chart and number 4 on the R&B chart. It also reached number 38 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The so ...

'' (CTI, 1968) – recorded in 1967-68 *

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

, ''

Living in the USA ''Living in the USA'' is the ninth studio album by American singer Linda Ronstadt, released in 1978. The album was Ronstadt's third and final No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Release The album was originally released by Asylum in the L ...

'' (Asylum, 1978) *

Ali Ryerson Ali Ryerson (born 21 October 1952 in New York City) is a flutist with a background in both classical and jazz, as well as being an instructor. She has performed and toured worldwide with a wide range of artists including Billy Taylor, Kenny Barro ...

, ''Con Brio!'' (ACR Music, 2011) * David Sanborn, ''

Time Again Time Again is a punk rock band from Hollywood, California which is represented in the band's songs and album art. The band was formed in the summer of 2004 by Daniel Dart, Elijah Reyes. Before they even had a full band or a single song written ...

'' (Verve, 2003) *

Boz Scaggs William Royce "Boz" Scaggs (born June 8, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. An early bandmate of Steve Miller in The Ardells and the Steve Miller Band, he began his solo career in 1969, though he lacked a major hit until h ...

, ''Speak Low'' (Decca, 2008) *

Chris Smither William Christopher Smither (born November 11, 1944) is an American folk/blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter. His music draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, and modern poets and philosophers. Early life, influences and educat ...

, '' Honeysuckle Dog'' (Okra-Tone, 2005) – recorded in 1973 *

Bert Sommer Bert Sommer (February 7, 1949 – July 23, 1990) was an American folk singer and songwriter. He appeared in the musical '' Hair'' and at the Woodstock Festival, and released several albums as a singer-songwriter. Life and career Sommer was born ...

, ''Bert Sommer'' (Buddah, 1970) *

Swiss Jazz Orchestra The Swiss Jazz Orchestra is a big band that was founded in 2003. Though the band has seen many changes, there are still some of its initial members. The orchestra's origins lie in the Big Band of the Swiss Jazz School, the oldest college for jazz mu ...

, ''Pools: Live at Jazzfestival Bern'' (Mons, 2016) – live recorded in 2015 * Livingston Taylor, '' Over the Rainbow'' (Capricorn, 1972) * Tony Orlando and Dawn, ''

Dawn's New Ragtime Follies ''Dawn's New Ragtime Follies'' is a 1973 album by the American pop group Tony Orlando and Dawn. This release was a concept album that combined Vaudevillian ragtime flavors with pop and disco music. With multi-generational appeal, and aided by To ...

'' (Bell, 1973) – recorded in 1972-73 * Stefano Zeni, ''Parallel Paths'' (Zanetti, 2018)

References

External links

Official web site
*
Mike's featured page on the Party Of The Century international music projectMike Mainieri interview at allaboutjazz.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mainieri, Mike 1938 births Living people American jazz vibraphonists American jazz bandleaders American people of Italian descent People from the Bronx Jazz musicians from New York (state) Steps Ahead members White Elephant Orchestra members