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.

Biography

Melvoin was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and began playing the piano at the age of three. Melvoin, whose original family name was Mehlworm, was Jewish. He studied English at Dartmouth College, where he was a member of Sigma Nu. Upon graduating from Dartmouth in 1959, Melvoin 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 and was part of The Wrecking Crew, 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.

Discography

As leader

As backing musician

With Judy Collins With Stan Getz With Thelma Houston With Lucio Battisti With José Feliciano With Milt Jackson With Quincy Jones With Peggy Lee With Helen Reddy With Natalie Cole With Michael Bublé With Oliver Nelson With Johnny Rivers With Tim Buckley With Joe Pass With Barbra Streisand With Kenny Rogers With Boz Scaggs With Rock Flowers With Barry Manilow With Donovan With Lalo Schifrin With Juice Newton With Bud Shank With Gábor Szabó With Leroy Vinnegar With Tom Waits With Paul Anka

Filmography