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Mike Petrone is a second-generation jazz pianist, whose father, John Petrone, has led a piano trio of his own from the late nineteen fifties to the present. Mike begin his professional career with his trio in 1983. That first trio had Craig Blackiston on bass and Tim Strelau on drums. By the late ninteen-eighties Mike began his collaboration with drummer, Mickey Eritano, and bassist Joey Pavlovitch, this was the trio which first played at Nighttown in Cleveland, and began playing at The Inn at Turner's Mill in Hudson, Ohio where Mike ended up staying for most of the next 17 years.

In 1991 Mike moved to New York City (although he continued to return to Turner's Mill for many weekends.) In New York he made his first piano trio recording with bassist, Stanley Banks (longtime George Benson collaborator) and New Zealand drummer, Edward Ware. [PICTURED BELOW] That recording was never released.


Edward Ware, Mike Petrone, and Stanley Banks. (1993) Mike Petrone (1994) Sherry Luchette ('94)

In 1994 Mike released his first CD, "The Mike Petrone Trio - Live at Turner's Mill" this recording featured bassist, Sherry Luchette, drummer, Gary Naherny, and saxophonist, Rob Williams on several cuts. Shortly thereafter Mike joined forces with bass player, Marty Block, and drummer, Roy King (formerly the sidemen of Akron pianist Pat Pace's trio). [PICTURED BELOW] This began Mike's longest trio collaboration. Mike, Marty and Roy recorded "A Lot Like Us" in 1996 (it has since become the most well-regarded of Mike's recording's) They also made recordings backing vocalists, Diane Linscott, Maria Jacobs, and Gary Grant and three recordings with violinist and assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, Lev Polyakin. This trio also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra and travelled the country through their association with Europa International Eyewear. In 1999 Mike switched to bass player Ed Stephens and drummer, John Stebal and recorded "Blooming at Nighttown". In 2001, Mike went back to the Marty Block, Roy King trio and kept it that way until 2006 when he began working with bassist, Lamar Gaines, in 2007 Mike, Lamar Gaines and John Stebal recorded "blue." In 2008, Mike has returned to bassist, Ed Stephens and drummer, John Stebal for their newest recording due out later this year "The Mike Petrone Trio- Mediterranean Jazz" and so 25 years later The Mike Petrone Trio continues and salutes all the great players who have contributed to keeping it going and growing. Many thanks to all the great cats who have appeared with me over the years!


Mart Block, Mike Petrone, Roy King.