Mike Longo Bio

Mike Longo began his professional career at the age of fifteen in South Florida where he began working with his fathers club date band around the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. He actually began playing piano at the age of three in Cincinnati, Ohio his birthplace. By the age of four the family took him to the Cincinnati Conservatory where he began formal lessons with a teacher.
The family later moved to Ft. Lauderdale when he was at a very early age where he grew up and began playing boogie woogie piano. His professional career took roots after winning a local talent contest at the age of twelve.

Longo went to a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert while in the 9th grade and heard Oscar Peterson who immediately became his idol. Cannonball Adderley, who was a band director in a local high school at the time, heard Longo at a jam session and became interested in the young pianist. The two became friends and the elder Longo hired Cannonball to work some gigs with his club date band. Later, Cannonball got Longo a gig with a R&B band that he was working with and the pianist began playing up and down the east coast of Florida on what was known at the time as "the chittlin' circuit". The older Adderley began coaching the younger musician and later hired him to play with his quartet at the famed Porky's that was depicted in the movies of the same name in the 70's.

After graduation from high school, Longo attended college at Western Kentucky State University where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in classical piano. During his stay there he went on the road with the famed Hal McIntyre orchestra during one summer and played with legendary guitarist Hank Garland in Nashville's famous Printers Alley as well. During his senior year of college, Longo won the Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Scholarship to Berklee School of Music when a fellow student submitted a tape recording of his playing to the magazine. Longo declined the scholarship and upon graduation hit the road as a full time professional jazz musician. During his two year stint with a band called the Salt City Six, he was booked into New York's Metropole Cafe. When the band left, Longo stayed at the Metropole as a house pianist. It was there that he worked with such jazz notables as Henry Red Allen, Coleman Hawkins, George Wettling, Gene Krupa and many others.

While at the Metropole, trumpeter Jimmy McPartland of the Austin High Gang fame, hired him to go to Chicago to do a two week stint at a club called Bourbon Street. While there, Longo met his early idol Oscar Peterson who was playing Chicago's London House. Peterson invited Longo to his hotel suite where Longo played for him. As a result, Longo was invited to study with Peterson at the Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto, a school for jazz musicians run by Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown. Longo spent the next six months in what he would later refer to as "the most intense period of study in my life."

Upon completion of his studies with Peterson, Longo returned to New York where he took up residence. He went on the road with Nancy Wilson which began a period of work with many legendary singers such as Gloria Lynn, Jimmy Witherspoon, Joe Williams, Jimmy Rushing and others. This was followed by a period where he worked around the New York area with bassist Sam Jones in many duo settings as well as with his own trio in places like Basin St. East, The Hickory House, The New York Playboy Club where he stayed for a whole year, and the Embers where he became the house trio for an extended period of time.
It was while playing at the Embers that Dizzy Gillespie first heard him. Dizzy, who was the featured attraction, heard Longo during his breaks and was to remark in later years that he had decided he wanted Mike to be on his group during that engagement. The opportunity didn't arrive until two years later.
It was 1966 and Longo was booked into the Embers West on 49th St. in Manhattan. His trio at the time consisted of Paul Chambers on bass and Chuck Lampkin on drums. The trio became a house rhythm section there and during this period Mike played with such jazz greats as Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims and the legendary Roy Eldridge. It was Roy who went around the corner to where Dizzy was playing and told Dizzy "you got to come by and hear this piano player who is playing with me." Dizzy came by and heard Mike play a set with his trio and the next day hired him to be the new pianist with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet, a post Mike would remain in for the next nine years.

During his first year with Dizzy, Mike began writing material for the group and Dizzy eventually appointed him as his musical director. A close bond of friendship as well as musical collaborator developed between the two which lasted until Gillespie's death in 1993.

Mike left the Gillespie group officially in 1975 to venture out on his own but still worked with Dizzy on a part time basis for the next sixteen years often writing for him as well as playing with him on several occasions. In 1986, Longo was commissioned by Gillespie to compose a piece for full symphony orchestra which was performed by Gillespie in 1993 with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

As a composer and arranger, Mike has been also tapped by James Moody (his band mate with Gillespie). He is featured as composer/arranger on three of his recordings as well as a commision from the San Diego Symphony Orchestra for music that was performed by Moody in a July of 2002 concert.

Since that time Mike has recorded several albums and CD's on various labels with some 45 recordings with various artists like Gillespie, James Moody and many others. He, at present, has 19 solo albums to his credit. For five years Longo hosted a local cable TV show in Manhattan called Jazz Perspectives.

He now appears with his trio at festival and club venues world wide which are documented in his extensive resume. In 1998, he formed the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, an 18 piece big band, made up of the top musicians in New York. They have been featured in both 1998 and 1999 at the Jersey Jazz Festival and on June 23, 1999, made their New York debut to a packed house at Birdland. Their first CD, "Explosion" was released in the fall of 2000. It made the Gavin air play charts and remained there for 18 weeks. Longo recorded the band again in 2001 on a CD called "Aftermath." This, like "Explosion," received wide critical acclaim and again made the Yellow Dog Jazz Charts. It was listed in the number one position of the top 10 CDs of 2001 in the Brazilian jazz poll. Mike was also voted number two, behind Dave Brubeck, in the same poll for composer of the year. A Mike Longo Trio CD called "Still Swingin" was released in January of 2002 and received wide recognition in the press including a feature in Billboard Magazine. It remained on the jazz charts for several weeks eventually occupying the #11 position. It ended the year in the 78th position for the top 100 CDs of the year 2002. This CD also occupied the number one position in the Brazilian jazz poll's top 10 CDs of the year 2002. A new CD called "The Mike Longo Trio - Live" from the 2002 Detroit International Jazz Festival was released on February 1st, 2003. It also hit the national jazz charts and remained there for several weeks. At the beginning of 2004, Mike created a concert series at the NYC Baha'i center and caused the 140 seat theater there to be renamed The John Birks Gillespie Auditorium after his late mentor Dizzy Gillespie. Aside from it being a home base for the NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, his big band, he began booking other world class jazz acts there on a weekly basis with concerts every Tuesday night. In October of 2004 a new CD called "Oasis" was released, once again with the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble, received much critical acclaim occupying the #7 position on the Jazz Week national chart. The band was subsequently voted the #1 band of the year in the Brazilian Jazz Poll with Mike winning the #2 spot for pianist of the year. Mike was also voted #2 for composer and #3 for arranger of the year in the same poll.

In August of 2007, a new trio CD was released on the CAP label called "Float Like A Butterfly" to great critical aclaim. It is presently on the charts 10 days after its release and climbing.

This record is like finding gold in the jazz market place. It gets no better. 5 stars...John Gilbert-EjazzNews

RESUME

MICHAEL LONGO
290 Riverside Dr.,Suite 11-D
New York, New York 10025
Telephone: (212) 222-5159

INSTRUMENTS: Piano, Electric Piano, Composer /Arranger /Musical Director / Author

UNIONS: 802 New York City, 655 Miami

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Music, Western Kentucky University
Diploma, Advanced School of Contemporary Music, Toronto, Ontario
Private student of Oscar Peterson, 1961-62
Private student in counterpoint of Frank Gaskin Fields, NYC 1967-69
Private student in classical composition of Hall Overton, NYC 1970-72

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1953-55 Worked with Cannonball Adderly in South Florida area
1960-62 House pianist at Metropole Cafe, NYC: Worked with bands led by Henry Red Allen, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins, Sol Yaged, Tony Parenti, Zutty Singleton, Cozy Cole
1960-73 New York appearances with own trio: Basin Street East, The Embers, The Embers West,
The Hickory House, Top of the Sixes, Bradleys, Duncans, Lost & Found, Spindletop
1961-65 Accompanist for Nancy Wilson, Gloria Lynn, Joe Williams, Jimmy Witherspoon, Jimmy
Rushing, Terry Thornton, Janice Harper, Barry Sisters
1965-66 House Trio at Embers West NYC: Worked with bands led by Roy Eldridge, Zoot Sims, Clark
Terry, Leo Wright, Lee Konitz, Frank Foster, Frank Wess--Trio members: Longo on piano; Paul Chambers on bass; Chuck Lampkin on drums
1966-75 Held position as pianist / composer / arranger/
and musical director for the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1971-73 Recording contract with Mainstream Records
1973-76 Recording contract with Groove Merchant International Records
1974-92 NYC appearances: Sweet Basil, Bradleys, Michaels Pub, Top of the Sixes, Half Note, Broadies, Gullivers, Hoppers, Angry Squire, Peter Browns, Tier Three, The Fine Line,
Gregorys, Eriks, The Blue Note, Zinnos, Garvins, Green Street Cafe, Carlyle Hotel, Cafe Montana, Jasmine, De Femios, Birdland
1975 Chosen by Dizzy Gillespie as pianist for Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band
1976 Recorded by Norman Grantz for Pablo Records - produced by Dizzy Gillespie
1978 First book published Systematic Harmonic Substitution
1979 Second book published Developing the Left Hand for Jazz Pianists
1982 National telecast with Dizzy Gillespie, "Mayport and All That Jazz"
1982 Chosen by Dizzy Gillespie for the Dizzy Gillespie "Dream Band" concert, Greenwich Village Jazz Festival NYC
1982 Third book published Theory & Musicianship for the Creative Jazz Improviser
1982 Chosen to teach jazz course at International Mozart Festival, Salzburg, Austria
1983 Fourth book published Voicing & Voice Leading for the Contemporary Jazz Pianist
1983-92 Solo pianist, Bemelman's Bar, Carlyle Hotel New York City
1984 Fifth book published Sight Reading Jazz and Other Syncopated Rhythms
1985 Sixth book published The Improvised Melodic Line
1986 Concert tour of Europe with Dizzy Gillespie & Mike Longo
1986 Commissioned by Dizzy Gillespie to write 3 Movement suite for full symphony orchestra featuring Dizzy Gillespie as soloist
1986 Commissioned by Dizzy Gillespie to write arrangements for GRP recording "New Faces" featuring Gillespie with Branford Marsalis' group
1987 Japan Tour: Dizzy Gillespie's 70th Anniversary All Star Band
1987 Chosen by Dizzy Gillespie for "Wolf Trap Honors Dizzy Gillespie" concert and television broadcast
1988 Japan Tour: Dizzy Gillespie and Mike Longo with Arrow Jazz Orchestra
1989 Wrote arrangements for the James Moody album "Sweet and Lovely" RCA Novus Records: Nominated for the 1989 Grammy Award
1989-90 Orchestral work "A world of Gillespie" commissioned by Dizzy Gillespie, received debut performance in 1989 at Arts for Living Center Theater in NYC by Henry Street Settlement Symphony Orchestra with Jon Faddis as featured soloist
Same work performed in 1990 with Dizzy Gillespie as soloist.
1990 Network telecast from St. John the Divine Cathedral with Dizzy Gillespie in command performance by Vaclav Havel, President of Czechoslovakia
1991 Network TV appearance with Dizzy Gillespie on the Joan Rivers Show
1991 Regular solo piano appearances at the Carlyle Hotel; regular appearances at Birdland with own trio
Professional premiere of "A World of Gillespie" with Detroit Symphony Orchestra with Dizzy
Gillespie as soloist, composed by M. Longo and scored for full symphony orchestra
1991 Performed with Dizzy Gillespie at Bourbon Street in Boca Raton, Florida
1991 New York appearances regularly at Samanthas, Oh Oh's, Village Gate
1992 JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall, "To Diz With Love" Concert
1992 Mike Longo Trio performed at Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1992 Mike Longo Trio with James Moody, Jon Faddis, and Paquito d'Rivera at Tarrytown Music Theater
1992 Baha'i World Congress Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie Concert at Carnegie Hall with James Moody, Jon
Faddis, Slide Hampton, Roy Hargrove and the Mike Longo Trio1992 Jazz Cruise on SS Zenith
1992 Performances at Tavern on the Green, Knickerbocker,
Birdland, Samanthas, Cameos
1992 National Public Radio broadcasts on Dizzy Gillespie
1992 Seventh book published The Technique of Creating Harmonic Melody for the Jazz Improviser
1992 Regular appearances as resident jazz artist on "First Exposure", NYC local TV
1992 Featured interview on "The Owl and the Rainbow" Local TV in NYC
1992 Featured interview on the Bob Porter Show, WBGO radio, NYC
1993 Concert at Lehman College, Bronx, New York
1993 One week engagement at Latitude Jazz Club in Paris France; radio interview and broadcast from Paris
1993 Delivered eulogy at funeral for Dizzy Gillespie
1993 Eulogy from Dizzy Gillespie funeral published in Bergen Press, New Jersey
1993 Regular appearances at Cleopatra's Needle in New York City, piano and bass duo
1993 Regular appearances at Birdland and Five Spot in NYC with own trio
1993 Featured with Frank Wess at Birdland, NYC
1993 Mike Longo Trio appeared with Slide Hampton at Yardbird Suite in NYC, featuring Buster Williams
on bass
1993 Appeared with Frank Wess and Joe Wilder at Jazz Charlotte, North Carolina jazz festival
1993 Guest Lecturer at the New School for Social Research in NYC
1993 Concert at Tarrytown Music Theater
1993 Defemio's Jazz Club in Yonkers, NY with Nick Brignola
1993 Solo pianist, Bemelman's Bar, Hotel Carlyle, NYC
1993 Mo Jazz Cafe, Miami Beach
1993 Executive producer of "Jazz Perspectives", a weekly half hour TV show in NYC; also frequent host of the show, interviewing jazz musicians such as Walter Bishop Jr., Jackie Paris, Joanne Brackeen, and others
1994 Solo pianist at the Jazz Division of the 1994 Grammy Awards Party
1994 Performed with own trio at Downbeat Club, NYC
1994 Interviewed and performed on National Public Radio
1994 Performed at Cleopatras Needle and Jazz Lounge Ritsu, NYC regularly
1994 Performed at Mo Jazz Cafe, Miami Beach
1994 Featured at "Dizzy Gillespie: The Man and His Music" concert at Town Hall, NYC with Bill Cosby as MC
1994 Played the Charlie Parker Memorial Benefit at the Supper Club, NYC
1994 Appeared with own trio at The Blue Note, NYC
1994 Appeared with own group at Wild Rose Cafe, in Bridge Hampton, Long Island
1994 Regular appearances on "First Exposure" TV show in NYC
1994 Lectured on Dizzy Gillespie at U of Chicago, Spellman College, Atlanta, and George Washington U, WashingtonD.C.
1994 Performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Detroit, "Dizzy Gillespie:The Man and His Music"
1994 Performed in concert with own trio at Flushing Meadow Town Hall
1995 Performed at Defemios in Yonkers, NY with Benny Golson
1995 Pianist with Arts For Living Center Symphony Orchestra for Dizzy Gillespie memorial concert
1995 Performed at Jazz Lounge Ritsu, NYC
1995 Solo piano Bemelman's Bar, Hotel Carlyle, NYC
1995 Regular appearances at Cleopatra's Needle, NYC
1995 Birdland with Mike Longo Trio and special guest George Coleman
1995 Defemios with Warren Chaison and Mike Longo
1995 Concert at Museum El Barrio, NYC
1995 Regular appearances at Mo Jazz Cafe, Miami Beach
1995 Concert at Short Hills Hilton Hotel with Warren Chaison
1995 San Bernadino Jazz Festival with "Dizzy Gillespie the Man and His Music" San Bernadino, CAL
1995 "Moody and Mike Longo" Concert in Atlanta
with James Moody "A Jazz Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie"
1995 Dizzy Gillespie big band concert at South Street Seaport in NYC
1995 Concert with own trio at Harlem Festival of the Arts NYC
1995 Appeared at the Water Club, NYC with own trio
1995 Appeared at Metronome in NYC with trio
1995 Concert at George Mason University with "Dizzy Gillespie: The Man and His Music"
1995 Concert tour of Germany with "Dizzy Gillespie: TheMan and His Music"
1995 Concert with James Moody and Mike Longo at University of Maryland
1995 Featured at Dizzy Gillespie Birthday Concert, Tarrytown Music Theater
1995 East side Jazz Club, Boca Raton, Florida with own trio
1995 Jazz at the Bistro, St. Louis Mo., with own trio
1995 Rainbow Room, NYC
1995 Weekly TV show "Jazz Perspectives" NYC
1995 Eighth book published - Scales with Fingerings
1996 Regular appearances throughout the year at Cleopatra's Needle. New York City.
1996 Regular appearances at PG Doogies, Deerfield Bch., Fla.
1996 Regular appearances at Mo Jazz Cafe, Miami Bch., Fla.
1996 Drew University allstar tribute to Dizzy Gillespie, L.A. Cal.
1996 Windows on the World. World Trade Center, N.Y. City
1996 Harlem Hospital Jazz Festival for Black History Month. Harlem, N.Y.
1996 Duke Ellington Society Festival, New York City.
1996 Defemios, N.Y. with Benny Golson.
1997 Concert with full symphony orchestra at Arts for Living Center, NYC honoring Dizzy Gillespie.
1997 Defemios, N.Y. with Benny Golson.
1997 Regular appearances at Cleopatra's Needle, NYC.
1997 2 Concerts for New Jersey Jazz Society.
1997 Concert for Harlem Hospital, Harlem, NY
1997 One week engagement at The Nest in Washington D.C. Willard Hotel.
1997 Grammy Awards Jazz Party. Solo Piano Concert
1997 The Lennox Lounge, Harlem, NYC.
1997 Performed at the Harms Theater in Englewood New Jersey for the Dizzy Gillespie 80th Birthday concert with Wynton Marsalis, Jon Faddis, Ron Carter, Bob Cranshaw, Lalo Shifferin, John Lewis and others.
1997 Appearance at The Silver Mine Inn, Bridgeport, CT.
1998 Concert with Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Wynard Harper and David Williams at Arts for Living Center with the Henry Street Settlement Symphony Orchestra. NYC.
1998 Silver mine Inn, Bridgeport, CT with Nabil Totah and Ray Mosca.
1998 Several appearances at Cleopatras Needle throughout the year. NYC.
1998 Grammy Awards Party in NYC. Solo Piano.
1998 Friends of the Arts Jazz Festival, NYC.
1998 Lennox Lounge several times during the year. Harlem, NY.
1998 Piano Spectacular Concert - Morristown, NJ with 6 major jazz pianists.
1998 Dish of Salt Restaurant - The Mike Longo Trio w/ Sue Terry.
1998 Defemio's with Benny Golson, Yonkers, NY.
1998 Pori Jazz Festival for nine days - Pori, Finland.
1998 Concert with Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band directed by Jon Faddis. S. Orange, NJ
1998 Featured pianist on NPR broadcast of Piano Jazz w/ Marian McPartland.
1998 Concert in Sag Harbor NY, with Hal McKusic big band. Arrangements by Mike Longo, Mike Abene and Neal Hefti.
1998 Panelist at New School seminar on Jazz. NYC.
1998 Appeared at Shanghai Jazz Club, Madison, NJ with the Mike Longo Trio.
1998 Concert at Nashville Unitarian Church with Mike Longo Trio, Nashville, TN.
1998 Concert and clinic at Tennessee Tech with Mike Longo trio, Nashville, TN.
1998 Concert at Western Kentucky State Univ. with the Mike Longo Trio. Bowling Green, KY.
1998 Concert with the Middle Tennessee College jazz ensemble, Mike Longo soloist playing compositions and arrangements by Mike Longo.
1998 Appeared in Bridgeport Ct. at Zanzibar jazz club.
1998 Concert with 18 piece big band, The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mike Longo at Jazz week. Jersey Jazz Society. Mammoth County, NJ.
1999 Ninth book published - Rhythmic Solffeggio
1999 Concert with 18 piece big band, The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mike Longo at Jazz week. Jersey Jazz Society. Mammoth County, NJ.
1999 Concert with 18 piece big band, The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mike Longo at Jersey Jazz Festival Fairleigh Dickenson University.
1999 Appeared with Trio at Cleopatra's Needle several times throughout year.
1999 Solo piano concert at Xavier University, Cincinnatti.
2000 Appeared at Shanghai Jazz Club, Madison, NJ with the Mike Longo Trio.
2000 Solo piano concert at Xavier University, Cincinnatti.
2000 Solo piano concert at Depass University, Indiana
2000 Appeared at Birdland with 18 piece big band, The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Mike Longo
2000 Appeared with Trio at The Blue Note, NYC.
2000 Appeared with Duo at Knickerbocker supper club, NYC.
2000 Appeared with with Henry Street Arts for Living Center Symphony Orchestra in tribute to Dizzy Gillespie.
2000 Appeared at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center in special concert with James Moody honoring his 75th birthday.
2000 Appeared with Trio aboard S.S. Norway for the Norway Jazz Cruise
2001 Concert with Trio at Jersey Jazz Society. Mammoth County, NJ.
2001 Concert with Trio and special guest Jack Wolrath at Jersey Jazz Society. Mammoth County, NJ.
2001 Appeared as pianist at Elkhart Ind. Jazz Festival.
2001 Appeared in concert at West Palm Beach Jazz society with Trio and special guest Ira Sullivan.
2001 Appeared in concert with Trio at Jersey Jazz Society. Mammoth County, NJ.
2002 Appearances Trattoria Grosso with Trio - Cold Spring Harbor, NY
2002 Concert at John Knox theater - Pompano Beach, Fl
2002 Shanghai Jazz - with Dizzy Gillespie Allstars
2002 Detroit Symphony Hall with Jon Faddis, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath
2002 Elkhart Indiana festival
2002 Jazz in the Sangres Festival - Colorado with Ttrio
2002 Detroit International Jazz Festival - with Trio
2002 Solo Piano Concert at St. Peter's Church opening for George Coleman and Hilton Ruiz Trio
2003 Pan Pacific Hotel - Vancouver BC with Trio
2003 Syracuse Jazz Festival - with Trio
2003 Jazz At The Carriage House - Silver Creek, NV - with Trio
2004 Created jazz concert series at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Nine concerts w/ NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert w/trio at Jersey Jazz Society
2004 Concert with trumpeter Joe Magnarelli at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with french hornist John Clarck at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with guitarist Adam Rafferty at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with trumpeters Nabate Isles & Jimmy Owens at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with Hal McKusick Nonet at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with trumpeter Freddy Hendix at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Concert with Saxophonist Marvin "Doc" Holladay at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Two concerts with trio at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2004 Detroit International Jazz Festival with trio
2004 Night Town jazz club in Cleveland with trio
2004 Night Town jazz club in Cleveland with James Moody
2004 Friars Club in New York City with Annie Ross
2004 Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club Coca Cola with bassist Paul West
2005 Several concerts with NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble at the
John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2005 Two concerts with trio at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2005 Syracuse Jazz Festival with Trio
2005 Jersey Jazz Society concert with Trio
2005 NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble at the Jersey Jazz Society Jazz week concerts.
2005 Concert with trio at Jersey City Public Library Jazz series
2005 Night Town jazz club in Cleveland with trio
2005 Flint Michigan concert with Trio
2006 With Annie Ross at Danny's Skylight Room New York
2006 Denver Jazz Festival with Trio
2006 Lester Young festival New York City
2006 Several concerts with NY State of the Art Jazz Ensemble at the
John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2006 Two concerts with trio at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium-New York City
2006 Night Town jazz club in Cleveland with trio
2006 Blue Note-New York- with James Moody and Jimmy Heath
2006 Kitano-New York-with Trio
2006 Hilton Hotel Staten Island with Trio
2006 South Carolina Jazz Festival with Trio and Jimmy Owens
2006 Concert at St. Peter's-New York- with George Coleman
2006 BB King's-New York- for Italian American Jazz Awards with Joe Lavano

RECORDINGS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

(Mike Longo as sideman)

Impulse "Swing Low Sweet Cadillac", Dizzy Gillespie classic. (Chart Album, 1967) Re-released several times since.
MPS "Dizzy Gillespie Reunion Band" (featured soloist and composer), 1968
Perception "The Real Thing" Dizzy Gillespie (featured soloist and composer / arranger of five tracks) 1970
Perception "Heritage Hum", James Moody (featured soloist and composer / arranger) 1971
Perception "Portrait of Jenny" Dizzy Gillespie (Chart Album 1971-72, Longo was featured soloist on track nominated for 1971 Grammy Award)
Perception "Now" Astrud Gilberto with Deodato
Groove Merchant "Big Band Machine", Buddy Rich (wrote suite and conducted the Buddy Rich orchestra in musical adaptation from the motion picture "Tommy", made Billboard charts), 1975
Groove Merchant "Nik-Nik", Buddy Rich (single-composed and arranged by Mike Longo) 1976
Groove Merchant "Chicago and All That Jazz", Lee Konitz (Longo arranged album for big band and played electric keyboards1975)
Groove Merchant "The Bull", Buddy Rich (single - composed and arranged by Mike Longo, 1976)
Pablo "Bahiana", Dizzy Gillespie (composed and arranged "Samba", "The Truth") 1977
GRP "New Faces", Dizzy Gillespie / Branford Marsalis (worked as composer and arranger for the album-hit the top twenty on the Billboard Jazz Charts), 1986
Consolidated Artists "Double Bass", Nabil Totah (Longo was soloist- album hit the top ten on Radio Air Play Charts), 1986
Consolidated Artists"First Impression", Adam Raffetry and the Mike Longo Trio1993
Consolidated Artists "More Double Bass", Nabil Totah CD released in 1998
Timeless Records"Con Alma" Judy Rafat: arranged by MIke Longo. Kenny Baron and Mike Longo-Piano, Rufus Reid and John Lee-bass, Ignacio Berroa-drums, Claudio Roditi-trumpet, Paquito D'Reviera-AltoSax, Frank Wess-Tenor Sax. Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie with German singer Judy Rafat.
Consolidated Artists"Blood Sweat and Bebop", guitarist Adam Rafferty's CD released in 1999 with Longo on piano, Bob Cranshaw on bass and Ray Mosca on drums
Quixotic Records "Friends and Mentors" Mel Martin and BeBop and Beyond. 2001 release with Mel Martin - Tenor and Soprano Sax; Bobby Watson - Alto Sax; Jack Walrath - Trumpet; Mike Longo & George Cables - Piano; Ray Drummond - Bass; Winard Harper & Billy Hart - Drums.
"Matrix" Dizzy Gillespie
"Live At Monteray" Dizzy Gillespie

SOLO RECORDINGS

Clamike Records "A Jazz Portrait Of Funny Girl" 1962- The Mike Longo Trio (debut album as leader
of own trio)
Mainstream "Matrix", 1970 Mike Longo - Pick of the Week in Billboard
Magazine, 1972; four star review in Downbeat
Magazine, Rave reviews in New York Times and Milwaukee Journal
Mainstream "The Awakening", 1971 Mike Longo (2nd album as
leader- featured as composer / arranger for Jazz Rock ensemble; spotlight review in Record World
Weekly Magazine; four star review in Downbeat Magazine; reviewed in New York Times and Milwaukee Journal
GrooveMerchant "Funkia", 1973 Mike Longo- Trio album with Ron Carter
and Mickey Roker
GrooveMerchant "900 Shares of the Blues" 1974 Mike Longo- (composed and
arranged sextet featuring Randy Brecker, Joe Farrell, Ron Carter and others, 1974
Groove Merchant "Piano Giants" Mike Longo and Chick Corea- 2 album
set, 1975
Pablo "Talk With the Spirits", Mike Longo - Produced by Dizzy Gillespie- 1976
Europa Jazz "900 Shares of the Blues" re-released in 1978
Consolidated Artists"Solo Recital", Live concert recorded at Bargemusic Concert Hall, NYC, 1981
Consolidated Artists"Mike Longo Trio-Live at Vic's", 1987 Recorded live at Vic's jazz club in La JollaCalifornia
Consolidated Artists"The Earth is But One Country" (with Dizzy Gillespie as featured soloist on title track) 1990 One of the last recordings made by Dizzy
LRC "El Moodo Grande", with Ron Carter, RandyBrecker and others, 1994
LRC "Piano Giants", Chick Corea and Mike Longo, re-released as CD in 1993
Consolidated Artists "I Miss You John", 1996 Mike Longo (composer and arranger for all star date featuring James Moody,Frank Wess, David Sanchez, Cecil Bridgewater, Jimmy Owens, Paul West and Ray Mosca) -Four star review in Downbeat Magazine, Rave reviews in Jazz Times, Jazz Iz Magazines, also various news papers nationwide.
Consolidated Artists "New York 78", 1997 Mike Longo, (Composed and arranged for all star big band featuring Slide Hampton,Curtis Fuller, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Bob Mintzer,Junior Cook, Bob Cranshaw and others-released in 1997
Consolidated Artists"The Dawn of a New Day" 3 different trio. 1998.
Consolidated Artists "Explosion" 2000 Mike Longo with The New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble. Arranged all tracks for 17 Piece big band.
Consolidated Artists "Aftermath" 2001 Mike Longo with The New York State of the
Art Jazz Ensemble. Arranged all tracks for 17 Piece big band.
Consolidated Artists "Still Swingin" 2002 Mike Longo Trio
Consolidated Artists "Live From The Detroit International Jazz Festival" 2003 Mike Longo Trio
Consolidated Artists "Oasis" 2004 Mike Longo with The New York State of the
Art Jazz Ensemble. Arranged all but one track for 17 Piece big band including seven original compositions.
Consolidated Artists "Float Like A Butterfly" 2007 Mike Longo Trio
Consolidated Artists "The Masters Return" 2007 Christian Fabian with Mike Longo-pno, Lewis Nash-Drums, Jimmy Owens-tpt, Andres Boriousky-Ten.

RECORDED COMPOSITIONS

"Matrix" (recorded by Dizzy Gillespie-Perception Records; Mike Longo
on Mainstream Records; performed by Dizzy Gillespie on Today
Show- Network TV; sampled in 1996 by Akinyelle and H2O
and used as rap records;Used as soundtrack on GAP clothing chain commercial "The DJ" 2001)
"Ding-a-Ling" (recorded by Dizzy Gillespie on Perception Records;
by Mike Longo on Mainstream Records; performed by
Gillespie on The Bell Telephone Hour, Mike Douglas
Show, The Tonight Show and Dick Cavet networkTV)
"Soul Kiss" (recorded by Dizzy Gillespie on Perception Records-
released as LP and single)
"Let Me Out" (Dizzy Gillespie on Perception, Mike Longo on Main-
stream Records)
"Alligator" (Dizzy Gillespie on Perception Records)
"Frisco" (Dizzy Gillespie-MPS / Saba; Mike Longo - Mainstream; New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble-CAP; Adam Rafferty Trio-CAP)
"Travel On" (James Moody- Perception; Mike Longo- Mainstream)
"Road Runner" (James Moody- Perception Records)
"Night Rider" (Mike Longo - Mainstream)
"Soliloquy" (Mike Longo-Mainstream)
"A Piece of Resistance" (Mike Longo - Mainstream)
"Pass It" (Mike Longo- Mainstream)
"Just to Let You Know" (Mike Longo- Mainstream)
"The Awakening" (Mike Longo- Mainstream)
"Bitchin' (Mike Longo- Mainstream
"Day Star" (Mel Dancy on Mainstream Records)
"The Truth" (Dizzy Gillespie-Pablo)
"The Crossing" Dizzy Gillespie- Pablo
"Samba" (Dizzy Gillespie- Pablo; Dizzy on network TV
The Today Show)
"Sunshine" (Dizzy Gillespie-Pablo; Dizzy on network TV
The Today Show)
"Angel of Love" (Mike Longo- Pablo)
"Roma" (Mike Longo- Pablo)
"Talk With the Spirits" (Mike Longo-Pablo)
"Wyyoway" (Mike Longo- Pablo)
"The Proclamation" (Mike Longo- Pablo)
"Dancing on the Moon" (Dizzy Gillespie on the Today Show)
"Funkia" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"Southern Soul" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"900 Share of the Blues" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"El Moodo Grande" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"Magic Number" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"Summer's Gone" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"Ocean of His Might" (Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"Like a Thief in the Night"(Mike Longo- Groove Merchant, LRC Records, Europa, Laser Light Records)
"The Bull" (Buddy Rich- Groove Merchant)
"Nik-Nik" (Buddy Rich- Groove Merchant)
"Tommy Medley" (Buddy Rich Big Band- Groove Merchant)
"Every Mornin" (Dizzy Gillespie / Branford Marsalis- GRP)
"Florida Boy" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"I'm Free" (Mike Longo-CAP)
"Times Square" (Mike Longo-CAP)
"Perplexity" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"The Cyclone" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"The Phantom" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"Young Love" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"The Earth is But One Country" (Mike Longo / Dizzy Gillespie- CAP)
"Now That I Have You" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"WBGO" (Mike Longo-CAP)
"Lucky Seven" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"Heritage Mix" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"I Miss You John" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"Lion Tamers" (Mike Longo-CAP)
"Desert Samba" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"Sweet Pea" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"A Conflict of Interest" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"New York 78" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"The Party" (Mike Longo-CAP)
"Sand in Your Blues" (Mike Longo- CAP)
"Down Under" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Keep Searchin" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Dawn of a New Day" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Blue Gil" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Urban Jungle" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Moody's Groove" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Love Dreams" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Hooters" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Day Spring" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Yomamo" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"The Night Is Love" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Bones" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Bag of Bones" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Chanson" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Mike's Lament" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"The Godfather" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Infusion" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Covenant City" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Nocturnal Sea Voyage" (Mike Longo - CAP)
"Diminished Returns" (Mike Lngo - CAP)

PERFORMANCES AND /OR SESSIONS WITH

Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Roy Eldrige, Clark Terry, Zoot Sims,
Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Ron Carter, Sam Jones,
Emuir Deodato, Carmen McCrea, Gloria Lynn, Janice Harper, Barry
Sisters, Mickey Roker, Astrud Gilberto, Brenda Lee, Joe Williams,
Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Pepper Adams, Jimmy Rushing, Jimmy
Witherspoon, Eddie Jefferson, Hal McIntire, Eddie Jackson, Red
Skelton, Lenny Bruce, Emily Yancy, Benny Carter, Bill Cosby, Willy
Bobo, Big Black, Nick Brignola, Groove Holmes, Bernard Purdy,
Herb Lavell, Erick Gale, Chuck Rainey, Don Bias, Dizzy Reece,
Cannonball Adderley, Phil Upchurch, The Merv Griffin TV Orchestra,
Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Coleman Hawkins, Zutty Singleton,
Henry Red Allen, Jimmy McGriff, Joe Farrell, Randy Brecker, Joe
Venuti, Lee Konitz, Claudio Ruditi, Red Rodney, Freddie Hubbard,
Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Owens, Cecil Bridge-
water, David Sanchez, Jackie McLain,Paquito d' Rivera, Antonio Hart, Roy
Hargrove, Jon Faddis, SlideHampton, Buster Williams, Paul Chambers, Curtis
Fuller, Junior Cook, Bob Mintzer, Bob Cranshaw, Randy Brecker, Al Cohn,
Benny Golson, Ignacio Berroa, Lenny White, Javon Jackson, Art Farmer,
Tito Puente, Lalo Shifferin, John Lewis, Bobby Hutcherson, Dave Samuels.
Wolfgang Lackershmidt, Rufus Reid, Harry Allen, Randy Sandke, Red Holt,
Chris Brubeck, Dan Brubeck, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Peter Appleyard,
Wayne Escoferi, Bruce Williams, Freddy Hendrix, Rufus Reid, Jon Faddis,
Mel Martin, Bobby Watson, Jack Wolrath, Annie Ross, Joe Lavano, Conte Condoli,
Buddy Childers

AWARDS

Scholarship from the Ft. Lauderdale Symphony Orchestra, 1955
Downbeat Hall of Fame Scholarship, 1959
National Endowment for the Arts Grant, 1972
Inducted into Western Kentucy University Wall Of Fame, 2002

TOURS

1967 Mexico- Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1968 Europe- Dizzy Gillespie All Star Reunion Big Band
1969 Japan- Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1970 Europe- Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1971 South America- Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1972 Europe - Dizzy Gillespie Quintet
1977 Mozart Festival, Salzburg Austria as lecturer and performer.
1981 On tour with The Power of Jazz festival, with Johnny Coles, Arnie
LawrenceChile, S. America.
1983 Germany, with Dizzy Gillespie
1986 Sicily, with Dizzy Gillespie and Eddie Harris tour.
1986 Austria, with Dizzy Gillespe
1987 Japan, with Dizzy Gillespie 70th Anniversary Big Band.
1987 Japan, with Dizzy Gillespie and the Arrow Jazz Orch.
1993 Brazil, with Mike Longo Trio.
1995 France, with the Mike Longo Trio.
1996 Europe, with "Dizzy: The Man and the Music" tour.
1997 Germany with the "Vibe Summit" tour with Milt Jackson, Bobby Hucherson, Wolfgang Lackershmidt and Dave Samuels
1998 Germany with the "Vibe Summit" tour.
1998 9 days Finland for the Pori Festival
1998 Tour of Universities in Southern USA
2002 Tour of Universities in Southern USA

F ESTIVALS

Newport at Newport. RI w/ Dizzy Gillespie
Newport NYC w/ Dizzy Gillespie
Various festivals throughout Europe and Japan w/ Dizzy Gillespie
BerlIn Jazz Festival w/ Dizzy Gillespie
Cote Azure France w/ Dizzy Gillespie
Moderao Festival in Japan w/Dizzy Gillespie 70th anniversary Big Band
JVC NYC w/ Dizzy Gillespie
JVC NYC w/ Dizzy Gillespie allstars
Montreaux, Detroit w/ Dizzy Gillespie allstars
Burbank Ca. Festival w/ Dizzy Gillespie allstars
Drew University Festival -L.A. w/ Dizzy Gillespie allstars
SS Rotterdam festival/cruise as solo pianist
SS Norway festival/cruise w/ Dizzy Gillespie
SS Rotterdam festival/cruise with James Moody
SS Norway festival/cruise w/ Mike Longo Trio
SS Zenith festival/cruise w/ Dizzy Gillespie allstars
Elkhart Ind. Festival as featured pianist
Jazz in the Sangres - Colorado festival w/ Mike Longo Trio
Detroit International Jazz Festival - Mike Longo Trio 2002, 2004
Syracuse Jazz Festival - Mike Longo Trio 2003, 2005
Denver Jazz Festibal - 2006
South Carolina Jazz Festival - 2006
Greenweich Village Jazz Festival
South Carolina Jazz Festival - 2007

Television

Bell Telephone Hour
Tonight Show
Mike Douglas Show
Dick Cavvette Show
David Frost Show
Joan Rivers Show
Wolftrap Honors Dizzy Gillespie
Pops With Fiedler
Mayport And All That Jazz
Dizzy In Copenhaugen
Dizzy In Kobe Japan
Jazz Perspectives - New York
The Owl and the Rainbow - New York
First Impressions - New York
Film of live concert for national archives-from the John Biks Gillespie Auditorium-NYC