Mike Mainieri
Michael T. Mainieri Jr. is an American vibraphonist, known for his work with the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead. He is married to the singer-songwriter and harpist Dee Carstensen.
Biography
Mainieri was born in The Bronx, New York, United States. 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. He performed for a live album by Laura Nyro and was featured on several tracks from the Dire Straits album, Love Over Gold, as well as on "Ride Across the River" on the album Brothers in Arms. He performed on the albums Heads by Bob James, Heart to Heart by David Sanborn, and Tiger in the Rain 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. titled Wanderlust, which featured Michael Brecker and other members of Steps Ahead. He produced three albums for Carly Simon. Mainieri married singer-songwriter/harpist Dee Carstensen in 1993.
Discography
As leader
- Blues on the Other Side
- Journey Thru an Electric Tube
- Insight
- Love Play
- Free Smiles: Live at Montreaux 1978
- Wanderlust
- Man Behind Bars
- An American Diary
- Live at the Seventh Avenue South
- An American Diary: The Dreamings
- Northern Lights
- L'Image 2.0
- ''Crescent''
As a member
With Arista All Stars
- Blue Montreux – live
With [Steps Ahead]
- Step by Step
- Steps Ahead
- Modern Times
- Magnetic
- N.Y.C.
- Yin-Yang
- Vibe
- Steppin Out
- Smokin' in the Pit
- Paradox
- Live in Tokyo 1986
- ''Holding Together: Live in Europe 1999''
As sideman
- Love over Gold
- Brothers in Arms
- Dreamer
- Dance of Time
- Time and Again
- Big Blues with Jim Hall
- Yama with Joe Henderson
- Tiger in the Rain
- Time Together
- Tim Hardin 4
- Bird on a Wire
- American Pie
- Playin' Favorites
- Buddy Rich Just Sings
- Richcraft
- The Driver
- Playtime
- Blues Caravan
- Spy
- Come Upstairs
- Torch
- Hello Big Man
- Paul Simon
- Hearts and Bones
- What's New!!!
- I Keep Comin' Back!
- To Chi Ka
- Dogatana
- One for All – live
- Lotus Night – live
- Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic - conductor
- Manny Albam, The Soul of the City
- George Benson, Livin' Inside Your Love
- Stephen Bishop, Red Cab to Manhattan
- Kenny Burrell, A Generation Ago Today
- Marnix Busstra Trio, Twelve Pieces
- Marc Cohn, The Rainy Season
- Paul Desmond, Summertime
- Will Downing, Will Downing
- Faith Hope and Charity, Faith Hope & Charity
- Lotti Golden, Lotti Golden
- Urbie Green, The Fox
- John Hall, Power
- Bendik Hofseth, IX
- Jake Holmes, How Much Time
- Janis Ian, Night Rains – recorded in 1978
- Bob James, Heads
- Garland Jeffreys, Garland Jeffreys
- Billy Joel, 52nd Street
- Etta Jones, Etta Jones Sings
- Mark Knopfler, Local Hero
- Rickie Lee Jones, Pieces of Treasure
- Nils Lofgren, I Came to Dance
- Pat Martino, Starbright
- Paul McCartney, Kisses on the Bottom
- Van McCoy, My Favorite Fantasy
- Brother Jack McDuff, Who Knows What Tomorrow's Gonna Bring?
- Marcus Miller, Suddenly
- Monday Orchestra, Never Alone: The Music of Michael Brecker
- Wes Montgomery, Down Here on the Ground
- Laura Nyro, Season of Lights – live recorded in 1976
- Linda Ronstadt, Living in the USA
- Ali Ryerson, Con Brio!
- David Sanborn, Time Again
- Boz Scaggs, Speak Low
- Chris Smither, Honeysuckle Dog – recorded in 1973
- Bert Sommer, Bert Sommer
- Swiss Jazz Orchestra, Pools: Live at Jazzfestival Bern – live recorded in 2015
- Livingston Taylor, Over the Rainbow
- Tony Orlando and Dawn, Dawn's New Ragtime Follies – recorded in 1972-1973
- Tony Orlando and Dawn, To Be With You
- Stefano Zeni, Parallel Paths
- Zulema, ''Z-licious''