See the video for “You’re Mine” from WKYC-TV
1 comment August 29th, 2008
Archive for August, 2008
The Mike Petrone Trio – 25 years and counting!
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)
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). 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 has added new drummer Ricky Exton for their newest record 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 musicians who have been a part of this band over the years!
1 comment August 24th, 2008
ABOUT
Mike Petrone is a pianist, singer/songwriter, composer, arranger and bandleader with a career spanning more than 25 years. He currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio where he can be seen performing on a near nightly basis.
He has worked in the professional theatre as a musical director and has written several musicals and scores. Most recently in 2001 his musical FULL MOON premiered in Cleveland with Frank Dunlop on The British National Theatre directing. He has also composed several motion picture soundtracks, most recently his 2005 score for the independent feature Hard Pill. His complete filmography can be viewed at Imdb.
The Mike Petrone Trio his jazz piano trio has received acclaim throughout the world for their many recordings and their 2008 effort Mediterranean Jazz promises to bring a new generation of fans as Mike showcases his original songs.
Mike is also active as a producer and publisher and as one of the founders of Cleveland’s Goblin Bee Records and their publishing arm Plan “C” Publishing. He is active civically as a mentor for The Cleveland Foundations Civic Innovation Lab, and as a member of the COSE Arts Network Advisory Board. Most recently he was chosen for the Leadership Cleveland Class of 2009. In 2005 he was honored by Mayor Jane Campbell for his twenty-five years contributing to the arts in Cleveland.
Add comment August 12th, 2008
Review of “blue” from The Cleveland Plain Dealer
As anyone who has heard singer-pianist Mike Petrone in action at Johnny’s Downtown can attest, the talented performer provides more than just background music. Such is the case with the Cleveland Heights native’s latest trio effort, “Blue,” a seven-track instrumental jazz album that contains subtle but effective attention to detail.
From the enticing piano flourishes of “Indiana” to the all-out ivory jamming on “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” Petrone is at his best when his audience’s guard is down. Sure, many of the tracks meld together like items on a dessert menu, but Petrone delivers what he promises — jazz with spirit. If well-constructed lounge jazz is your bag or if you’ve been entranced by Petrone in the past, the finger-snapping “Blue” will leave you feeling anything but melancholy.
-John Benson, November 9, 2007
Sample or Buy Mike’s song “I’m Goin’ to Cleveland” for .99 !
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Add comment August 11th, 2008
