MIKE MAINIERI BIO

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.

During the ‘50s and early ‘60s, he performed with such legendary artists as Buddy Rich, Billie Holliday, Dizzy Gillespie, Coleman Hawkins and Wes Montgomery. At the age of 20, he won Downbeat's International Jazz Critic's Award.

In 1962, he joined the ground-breaking jazz/rock group Jeremy & the Satyrs led by flutist Jeremy Steig. The Satyrs appeared at New York's Club A-GoGo, and performed with such monumental figures as Frank Zappa, Richie Havens and Jimi Hendrix. During the late ‘60s, 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 such soloists Michael Brecker, Ronny Cuber, Jon Faddis, Lew Soloff and Randy Brecker.

In the late 70s, Mike founded the pioneering jazz/fusion group Steps Ahead, which included previous cohorts Michael Brecker, Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd and Don Grolnick. Delving into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimental sounds and compositional integrity, Steps Ahead was and is a launching pad for young talent and new musical ideas.

As a composer, arranger and performer, Mike has contributed to over 100 gold and platinum albums. An active participant in the rock and pop scenes, Mike produced and co-wrote three albums with Carly Simon, and recorded with Paul Simon, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Janis Ian, James Taylor, Dire Straits, Bonnie Raitt, George Benson, and on Don McClean's classic album: American Pie.

In 1991, Mike brought to bear his vast experience with the creation of his own Jazz label NYC Records (www.nycrecords.com). The independent label is a vehicle for exposing new and established artists such as vocalist Luciana Souza, pianist Rachel Z, alto saxophonist Myron Walden and legendary tenor saxophonist, George Garzone. Mike is still active touring worldwide with his group Steps Ahead, guesting in workshops and various recording projects.

MARNIX BUSSTRA BIO

Guitarist Marnix Busstra (1965) is one of the most prominent contemporary jazz guitarists and composers in the Netherlands. Nowadays he leads the Marnix Busstra Trio and the Buzz Brothers Band, besides being the main composer for Dutch leading theatre diva Karin Bloemen.

At an early age, Marnix tried his hand at the piano, the drums and the trumpet, but it wasn't until he turned fifteen that he finally found ‘his’ instrument, the guitar. Although he briefly attended the Dutch Hilversum Conservatory, he is truly a self-taught musician.

As a guitarist, his deepest influences are unquestionably guitarists like John Scofield, Pat Metheny, and John Abercrombie. Beyond his inspiration from these particular musicians, he has been profoundly influenced by music from around the world, especially classical Indian music, which he studied for several years. His choice to play the sitar, the Irish bouzouki and – later on – the electric sitar, originate from his love for a wide variety of ethnic musical styles.

In addition to his jazz-oriented instrumental work, Marnix started composing for Karin Bloemen, establishing an intense collaboration with this famous Dutch vocalist and theatre personality. He was honored for his work in this genre when his ballad ‘Geen Kind Meer’ won the prestigious Annie M.G. Schmidt Award for best theatre song.

Through the years he formed his own bands, the electric band Second Vision, the acoustic band Marnix Busstra 4-tet, and the Buzz Brothers Band with his brother Berthil on piano. For these bands he wrote all compositions. The collaberation with Mike Mainieri started with a number of tours with Second Vision, with Mike as a guest-soloist. Later they decided to create a more intimate, acoustic setting: the Mike Mainieri/Marnix Busstra quartet was born. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.