Mike Abene

Michael Abene (born July 2, 1942) is an American jazz pianist known for accompanying singers and arranging music.

Early life and education

Abene was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father, grandfather, and aunt were musicians. He studied composition at the Manhattan School of Music.

Career

Abene has accompanied Susannah McCorkle Julius La Rosa, and others. He had his first solo album Solo Piano in 1986. Abene co-produced the album Avant Gershwin, which won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2007.

Discography

As leader

1986: You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby (recorded December 1984)

As sideman

With Maynard Ferguson

• Maynard '62 (Roulette, 1962)
• Si! Si! M.F. (Roulette, 1962)
• Maynard '63 (Roulette, 1962)
• Message from Maynard (Roulette, 1962)
• Maynard '64 (Roulette 1959-62 [1963])
• The New Sounds of Maynard Ferguson (Cameo, 1963)
• Come Blow Your Horn (Cameo, 1963)
• Color Him Wild (Mainstream, 1965)
• The Blues Roar (Mainstream, 1965)
• The Maynard Ferguson Sextet (Mainstream, 1965)
• Ridin' High (Enterprise, 1967)

With Dizzy Gillespie

• Cornucopia (Solid State, 1969)

With Urbie Green

• The Fox (CTI, 1976)

With Cal Tjader

• Solar Heat (Skye, 1968)

References