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 seven 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. In 1952, at the age of 14, his own jazz trio appeared on the PAUL WHITEMAN radio show, and by 19 he was playing and arranging for the Buddy Rich’s sextet – a tenure, which continued up until 1964. At the age of 20 he won Downbeat’s new artists poll. As a solo artist, Mike has created and contributed to countless, visionary artistic endeavors. In 1964, he joined the groundbreaking 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 Café A Go Go, and performed with such monumental Figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and toured with folk singer Tim Hardin.

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: Saxophones: Michael Brecker, George Young, Frank Vacari, and Ronny Cuber Trumpets: Randy Brecker, Nat Pavone, Jon Faddis, and Lew Soloff Trombones: Barry Rogers and Jon Pierson Drums: Donald MacDonald, and Steve Gadd Bass: Tony Levin, Keyboards: Warren Bernhardt Guitarists: Joe Beck, David Spinozza, HughMcCracken, Sam Brown, Bob Mann, Paul Metske 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, and L’IMAGE.

While Mike, Warren Bernhardt, Tony Levin and Steve Gadd and David Spinozza lived in Woodstock in the early 1980’s, they formed the group L’Image which toured locally. A reunion occurred 30 years later. They recorded two albums and appeared in concerts in Japan and in NYC.

In 1985 Mike and his partner John Golden built a recording studio call Centerfield Productions which was a haven for jazz, rock, Hip Hop, TV and radio composers.

Other noteworthy recordings and live performances: Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Sweet Edison, CharlieShavers, Ruby Braff, Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, Paul Chambers, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Milt Hinton, Ray Brown,Tom Harrell, Joe Henderson, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Russell Malone, Larry Coryell, Toninho Horta, Pat Martino, Gene Bertoncini, Kazumi Watanabe, Andy Summers, Art Farmer, Sonny Stitt, Ben Sidran, Gato Barbieri, Dave, Valentine, Gil Evans, Gil Goldstein, Manny Album, Don Sebesky, Mike Abene, Vince Mendoza, Alan Baylock, Thad Jones, Chuck Mangione, Gil Evans, Marty Paich, Ernie Wilkins, Ron Carter, John Patitucci, Eberhard Weber, Marcus Miller, Richard Davis, Mark Egan, Andy Gonzales, Anthony Jackson, Ray Brown, Will Lee, Jeff Andrews, Charlie Mariano, Jack McDuff, Paul Desmond, Urbie Green, Bob James, George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Al Foster, Jim Hall, Steve Khan, David Sanborn, Billy Hart, Randy Brecker, Toots Theileman, Paul Desmond, Cozy Cole, Chico Hamilton, Joe Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Billy Cobham, Mel Lewis, Adam Nussbaum, Steve Jordan, Antonio Sanchez, Ed Shaughnessy, Grady Tate, Rick Marotta, Lenny White, Danny Gottlieb, Brian Blade, Bernard Purdie, Nana Vasconcelos, Airto Moreira, Steve Berrios, Milton Caardona, Manola Badrena, Ray Barretto, Roger Squitero, Bashiri Johnson. Ralph MacDonald, Joe Porcaro, and his son Jeff Porcaro, Bill Stewart, Dave Schroeder.

As a composer, arranger, and performer, Mike has contributed to over 100 gold and platinum albums. An active participant in the rock and pop genre, he’s performed and recorded with Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Laura Nyro, Aerosmith,Billy Joel, Michael Franks, Tim Hardin, Dianne Reeves, Dianna Krall, Boz Scaggs, Carly Simon, Janis Ian, James Taylor, Bobby McFerrin, Marc Knopfler and Dire Straits, Don McLean, Bonnie Raitt, Paul McCartney, and Rickie Lee Jones’ latest standards album which was released in May of 2023.

He’s also produced and arranged numerous albums with artists such as Carly Simon, George Benson, Ben Sidran, Andy Summers and Dee Carstensen. In 1992 Mike formed his own record label, nycrecords.com and has released 32 albums of various artists. He continues to tour with STEPS AHEAD and MIKE MAINIERI & NORTHERN LIGHTS.