Mike Mainieri Interview


This time, we could talk to Mike Mainieri who just finished European tours with reunioned Steps Ahead for a month and duo unit with George Garzone for a week in Italy. He talked about new Steps Ahead.

Masato Hashi (MH)
Will you tell us the story of forming this new acoustic Steps Ahead?

Mike Mainieri(MM)
I have just released the double CD with 5 alternate bonus tracks of Smokin' In The Pit on my label NYC Records. It is also the 20th year anniverary of the formation of Steps and I was hoping to do a reunion tour. Michael Brecker was unavailable as was Eddie Gomez, but I did not want to miss the opportunity so I called Peter Erskine and Eliane Elias who were former members of the Steps Ahead band and asked them if they were interested in touring and they answered with a resounding YES !!!!!

MH
Bob and Marc are new to Steps Ahead. Why did you pick them?

MM
I had played with Bob Berg at the Blue Note in Tokyo last year and Bob sounded incredible and was excited about the project. Since Eliane and Peter had played with Marc Johnson for years in various projects, I felt that these musicians would be very comfortable in any musical situationl. Marc Johnson had also performed on my American Diary "The Dreamings" album with Peter and he was just marvelous.

MH
How is reaction of European audience? What songs are you playing?

MM
The reaction of the audiences were overwhelming.
We played mostly new material that was contributed by all of the musicians interspursed with some Steps favorites like, Pools, Uncle Bob, Sara Touch and Fawlty Tenors.

MH
Any plan for recording with this band? Any other future plan?

MM
We recorded about 18 of the concerts on Mini Disc and frankly I have not had the time to listen to the results, but we had hoped there was enough material for a live album. We are going to perform in the States in January and would love to come to Japan, but have not been invited yet.


copyright 1999 by CyberFusion