Award Winning Jazz Vibraphonist Mike Mainieri to Visit Europe in May!

This May, the world renowned jazz vibraphonist Mike Mainieri will be performing and presenting workshops at events and institutions in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Accompanied by his Yamaha vibraphone, this will be a fantastic opportunity to listen and learn from the innovative Mike Mainieri and hear him put his Yamaha vibraphone through its paces.

Primarily recognized as an award-winning jazz vibraphonist, Mike Mainieri’s equally remarkable talents as producer, performer, arranger, and composer have contributed to shaping the cutting edge in music. In 1952, at the age of 14, Mike made his first professional appearance on the Paul Whiteman TV and Radio show with his jazz trio. During the 50's and early 60's, he performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Rich, Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Elvin Jones, Coleman Hawkins, and Wes Montgomery. At the age of 20, he won Downbeat's International Jazz Critic's Award and appeared in Downbeats Critics and Readers poll over 40 years in the category of vibraphone.

In 1963, he joined the groundbreaking jazz/rock group Jeremy & the Satyrs led by flutist Jeremy Steig. The Satyrs appeared at New York's Club A-Go Go, and performed with such monumental figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix.  

In the late 70's, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/fusion group Steps Ahead, that featured the legendary artists, Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd and Don Grolnick.  Delving into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimental sounds and compositional integrity, Steps Ahead was, and still is a launching pad for young talent and new musical ideas.  
 
As a composer, arranger and performer, Mainieri has contributed to over 100 gold and platinum albums.  An active participant in the rock and pop genre, he has produced and co-written three albums with Carly Simon, and has recorded with Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, Carole King, Boz Scaggs, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Bonnie Raitt, George Benson, Edie Brickell, Roberta Flack,Don McClean's classic album; "American Pie" and Paul McCartney’s recently released album of standards.

Mike’s May tour will see him attend a number of different events and institutions across Europe giving you the opportunity to hear some of his fantastic music. Alongside of this, you’ll also get the opportunity to benefit from Mike Manieri’s vast experience in the music industry.

Tour Dates

13th May 2012
Workshops and Performance, Royal Opera House Day of Percussion, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD, UK.
Tel. +44 (0) 20 7641 6000, http://waitingroom.roh.org.uk/index.aspx
Starting time : 10:00

14th May 2012
Workshop, Royal Academy of Music, London, NW1 5HT, UK. Tel. +44 (0) 20 7837 7373, http://www.ram.ac.uk/
Starting Time : 10:00

16th May 2012
 Workshop, Berklee College of Music, Valencia Campus, Valencia, Spain, http://berkleevalencia.org/

17th May 2012
 Universidade de Evora, Evora, Portugal, http://www.uevora.pt/

19th May 2012
Workshop and small concert , Conservatorio St. Cecilia, http://www.conservatoriosantacecilia.it/, Roma via dei Greci n. 18, tel. 06-360967
Starting: 15:30

20th May 2012
Improvisation Clinique and small concert, Ars Ludi, http://www.arsludi.it/ , via di Pietralata, 166/b 00156 Roma – Italia ,tel. 06-4501171, arsludi@tiscali.it
Starting : 15:00 (Concert 19:00)