Just back from a very rewarding tour with Northern Lights which featured some very creative playing by: Bendik Hofseth, sax; Bugge Wesseltoft, piano & electronics; Lar Danielssone, double bass; Audun Kleive, drums; and yours truly on vibraphone. We performed some pieces from the last "Lights" CD, but also other originals of mine, one new one classic waltz composed by Bendik, and a tour-de-force piece from the pen of Bugge.

A few things on the NYC menu worth mentioning:

1) The Mike Mainieri CD featuring Charlie Mariano and bassist Dieter Ilg will now be a 2-CD set. We're planning a July release.

2) The Mike Mainieri/Marnix Busstra Quartet will release a 2-CD set entitled "Trinary Motion/Live in Europe" in August.

On the horizon:

*A solo vibraphone CD that if I don't get out by this year I'll be horsewhipped by family and close friends.

*A CD of my compositions with the University of Missouri big band under the direction of Arthur White.

*Guesting on a CD with my buddy of 60-something years, fellow Bronxite, Gene Bertoncini.

*Some concerts and a recording in Italy in August.

*Concert with Bendik Hofseth in Norway followed by the recording of a 'new' Northern Lights CD.

*A reunion with the amazing guitarist Kasumi Watanabe in Japan, celebrating the 25th anniversary of our collaboration on his CD Tochika which I produced and performed on.

*A "L'Image" tour in the fall of 2010 featuring Steve Gadd, Tony Levin, Warren Bernhardt, David Spinozza, and myself followed by a new recording by the band.

I'd like to thank all of the folks who have purchased the first volume of my songbook. We are working on Volume 2 which should be available next year.

Check out Bendik Hofseth's latest CD XI which features: Bendik Hofseth, sax; Mike Mainieri, vibraphone; Gil Goldstein, piano/accordion; Olivier Louvel, guitar; Scott Colley, bass; Antonio Sanchez, drums.

Thanks for your continued support,

Mike Mainieri