Mike Melvoin

Mike Melvoin
Born (1937-05-10)May 10, 1937
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States
Died February 22, 2012(2012-02-22) (aged 74)
Burbank, California, United States
Genres Jazz, rock, pop
Occupation(s) Musician, composer, arranger
Instruments Piano
Associated acts

Michael "Mike" Melvoin (May 10, 1937 – February 22, 2012) 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.[1]

Biography

Melvoin was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and began playing the piano at the age of three. He studied English at Dartmouth College, graduating in 1959, but decided to pursue a career in music.[2] 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, performing on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (1966), Frank Sinatra's That's Life (1966), the Jackson 5's ABC (1970), John Lennon's "Stand by Me" (1975), Tom Waits' Nighthawks at the Diner (1975), and Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)" (1976). 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 (of Prince's band The Revolution, and later of Wendy & Lisa), Susannah and Jonathan all became professional musicians.

Melvoin died in Burbank, California on February 22, 2012 of cancer, at age 74.[3]

Discography

As leader

1980 the Theme from the movie Paradise Arranger and keyboards

As sideman

With Lucio Battisti

With Judy Collins

With Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker

With Milt Jackson

With Oliver Nelson

With Joe Pass

With Rock Flowers

With Lalo Schifrin

With Bud Shank

With Gábor Szabó

With Leroy Vinnegar

With Tom Waits

As composer

References

  1. ↑ Barker, Andrew (February 27, 2012). "Musician Mike Melvoin dies at 74". Variety. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  2. ↑ Yanow, Scott. "Mike Melvoin Biography". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
  3. ↑ Heckman, Don (February 24, 2012). "Mike Melvoin dies at 74; studio musician, composer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 29, 2012.

External links

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