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

Studio albums
  • Step by Step
  • Steps Ahead
  • Modern Times
  • Magnetic
  • N.Y.C.
  • Yin-Yang
  • Vibe
  • Steppin Out
Live albums
With Dire Straits
  • Love over Gold
  • Brothers in Arms
With Eliane Elias
  • Dreamer
  • Dance of Time
  • Time and Again
With Art Farmer
With Michael Franks
  • Tiger in the Rain
  • Time Together
With Tim Hardin
With Don McLean
  • American Pie
  • Playin' Favorites
With Buddy Rich
  • Buddy Rich Just Sings
  • Richcraft
  • The Driver
  • Playtime
  • Blues Caravan
With Carly Simon
  • Spy
  • Come Upstairs
  • Torch
  • Hello Big Man
With Paul Simon
  • Paul Simon
  • Hearts and Bones
With Sonny Stitt
  • What's New!!!
  • I Keep Comin' Back!
With Kazumi Watanabe
  • To Chi Ka
  • Dogatana
  • One for All – live
  • Lotus Night – live
With others