Mike Melvoin


Mike Melvoin was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. He served as chairman and president of The Recording Academy and worked as a prolific studio musician, recording with Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, The Jackson 5, Natalie Cole, and The Beach Boys. Melvoin was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for "All or Nothing at All" from his album It's Always You.

Biography

Melvoin was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and began playing the piano at the age of three. Melvoin, whose original family name was Mehlworm, was Jewish. He studied English at Dartmouth College, where he was a member of Sigma Nu. Upon graduating from Dartmouth in 1959, Melvoin decided to pursue a career in music. For a time he lived in NYC working as a pianist with top Latin bandleaders like Tito Puente and Machito as well as doing studio work. After moving to Los Angeles in 1961, he played with Frank Rosolino, Leroy Vinnegar, Gerald Wilson, Paul Horn, Terry Gibbs, Joe Williams, Peggy Lee and others. He released his debut album as a bandleader, Keys to Your Mind, in 1966 on Liberty Records. Melvoin played in clubs in Los Angeles, and accompanied singer Bill Henderson and played with Herb Ellis and Plas Johnson on Concord Jazz releases.
Melvoin worked extensively as a studio musician and was part of The Wrecking Crew, performing on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Frank Sinatra's That's Life, the Jackson 5's ABC, John Lennon's "Stand by Me", Tom Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner, and Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen (Love Theme from [A Star Is Born)]". He worked in the early 1970s as a music director on The Partridge Family recordings, often playing keyboard, and also began composing for film and television including contributing scores to Fame and MacGyver.
His children, Wendy, Susannah and Jonathan all became professional musicians.
Melvoin was the first active musician to serve as the head of NARAS. When NARAS introduced category changes to the Grammys in 2011, which eliminated recognition for instrumental session musicians, he opposed them.
Melvoin died in Burbank, California, on February 22, 2012, of cancer, at age 74.

Discography

As leader

  • Keys to Your Mind
  • Between the Two
  • The Plastic Cow Goes Moooooog
  • Redeye
  • The Capitol Sessions
  • Oh Baby
  • It's Always You
  • Like Jazz
  • Playing the Word
  • ''You Know''

As backing musician

With Judy Collins
With Stan Getz
With Thelma Houston
With Lucio Battisti
With José Feliciano
  • Souled
  • 10 to 23
  • And the Feeling's Good
  • Ya Soy Tuyo
With Milt Jackson
With Quincy Jones
With Peggy Lee
With Helen Reddy
With Natalie Cole
With Michael Bublé
With Oliver Nelson
With Johnny Rivers
  • Last Boogie In Paris
  • New Lovers and Old Friends
  • Wild Night
  • Outside Help
With Tim Buckley
With Joe Pass
With Barbra Streisand
With Kenny Rogers
With Boz Scaggs
With Rock Flowers
  • Rock Flowers
  • Naturally
With Barry Manilow
With Donovan
With Lalo Schifrin
With Juice Newton
With Bud Shank
With Gábor Szabó
With Leroy Vinnegar
With Tom Waits
With Paul Anka
  • ''The Music Man''

Filmography