Just back from the University of Missouri where I enjoyed 3 days of performances, master classes and some private lessons with the students at MO who are under the direction of Dr. Arthur White. I had the opportunity to play some of the Steps Ahead tunes and some other original MM pieces with arrangement by Arthur, Vince Mendozza and Alan Baylock. Fun was had by all!

Right now I'm in writing mode for an upcoming solo CD I'll be recording from Jan 4-10 '10 in Oslo, Norway. This will be the second in a series with the "Norwegian Posse." The first CD, which--ahem--is on sale on my website (Mike Mainieri "Northern Lights") was a very cool album that featured Nils-Petter Molvaer, Bendik Hofseth, Bugge Wesseltoft, Lars Danielsson, Eivand Aarset, Jan Bang, Anders Engers, Paolo Vinaccia and DJ Strangefruit. I was very fortunate to meet many of these musicians back in 1989 when saxophonist Bendik Hofseth joined Steps Ahead. In 1990, I produced Bendik's first solo CD for Columbia/Sony records which we recorded in Puck studios in Denmark, where I first met his Norwegian band cohorts. We've remained in touch through the years, and I followed their musical inventiveness which they have made so uniquely their own.

Since the release of Mike Mainieri "Northern Lights," we've had the opportunity to perform several times in Europe, and I'm looking forward to recording with these very talented cats again in January. We are planning a tour in March--keep an eye on my Itinerary for updates.

The collective group, L'Image (Gadd, Levin, Bernhardt, Spinozza & yours truly) is planning a fall tour in 2010.

Thanks for the support,

Mike

PS: Check out my 'Songbook' Volume 1 (w/ 2 CD set) which is for sale on the site.