Michael Melvoin with Redeye - Redeye (1988)

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.

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. 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 was the first active musician to serve as the head of NARAS. When NARAS introduced category changes to the Grammys in 2011, he opposed them.

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

Mike Melvoin - Organ, Piano, Keyboards
Mike Boddiker - Synthezers
Gary Coleman - Congas, Shakers, Cowbels, Orchestra Bells
Larry Bunker - Tympani, Vibes, Fingr Cymbols, Cuica, Tamborine
Harvey Mason - Drums, Syndrums
Jim Hughart - Fender Bass
Tim May - Elctric Guitar
Danny Ferguson - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Cut String Guitar
Jerry Hey - Trumpet, Fluegel Horn
Chuck Findley - Trumpet, Fluegel Horn
Dick Hyde - Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Fluegel Horn
Lew McRary - Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Bass Trumpet
Pete Christlieb - Soprano, Alto, Tenor saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute, Clarinet
Ray Pizzi - Alto, Tenor Saxophone, Bassoon, Flute, Alto Flute
Jim Horn - Tenor, Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute

Track List:
01. Redeye 03:34
02. Samba Dese Days 04:26
03. The Soul Knows No Boundary 03:31
04. Base Instinct 04:33
05. True Then & Still Is 06:53
06. Don't Lose the Feeling 02:34
07. Coming Back To You 03:42
08. Middle Crass Values 04:52


All thanks go to the zzazas2000

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