Steps Ahead 35th Anniv Week Mike Mainieri, Eliane Elias, Peter Erskine, Marc Johnson, George Garzone

Steps Ahead 35th Anniversary
featuring: Mike Mainieri (vibes) Eliane Elias (piano) Peter Erskine (drums) Marc Johnson (bass) George Garzone (saxophones)

In the late 1970s, pioneering vibraphonist Mike Mainieri founded the jazz fusion group Steps Ahead in order to delve into contemporary sounds while maintaining experimental energy and compositional integrity. Steps Ahead achieved global acclaim and became a launching pad for young talent and new musical ideas. In addition to the 35th Anniversary edition, Steps "alumni" include saxophonists Michael Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Bob Berg, and Bill Evans; Pianists Don Grolnick, Kenny Kirkland, Rachel Z, and Joey Calderazzo; Guitarists Mike Stern, Steve Khan, Chuck Loeb, and Hiram Bullock; Bassists Eddie Gomez, Tom Kennedy, Daryl Jones, and Richard Bona; Drummers: Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Billy Kilson, and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts; Vocalists Dianne Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, and Richard Bona.