Mike Renzi

Michael Ernest Renzi (April 28, 1941 – September 29, 2021) was an American composer, music director, pianist, and jazz musician. Renzi graduated from the Boston Conservatory in 1973 and from Berklee College of Music in 1974.[1] He was a musical director for Peggy Lee and Mel Tormé for over 25 years.[2] He worked on Sesame Street as the music director for seasons 31 through 40 and led the Mike Renzi Trio.[3]

Not to be confused with Mike Enzi.

Mike Renzi
Renzi, c. 2009
Background information
Born(1941-04-28)April 28, 1941
Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
DiedSeptember 29, 2021(2021-09-29) (aged 80)
Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
GenresJazz, vocal jazz, traditional pop
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, arranger, composer, musical director
InstrumentsPiano, vocals
Years active1962–2021

He died in Newport, Rhode Island on September 28, 2021, at the age of 80.[4][5]

Discography

With Lena Horne

  • Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (Qwest, 1981)
  • We'll Be Together Again (Blue Note, 1994)
  • An Evening with Lena Horne (Blue Note, 1995)
  • Being Myself (Blue Note, 1998)
  • Denise DeCaro Christmas and You (bigBang, 2016)

With Maureen McGovern

  • Another Woman in Love (CBS, 1987)
  • Christmas with Maureen McGovern (CBS, 1990)
  • Baby I'm Yours (BMG, 1992)
  • The Pleasure of His Company (Sterling, 1998)
  • Denise DeCaro Providence...Live! (bigBang, 1998)

With Mel Torme

  • Mel Torme and Friends (Finesse, 1981)
  • Torme/Encore at Marty's New York (Flair, 1982)
  • An Evening with Mel Torme (Concord Jazz, 1996)

With Grady Tate

  • Grady Tate Sings TNT (Milestone, 1991)
  • Body & Soul (Milestone, 1993)
  • Feeling Free (Pow Wow, 1999)

With others

  • Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Cheek to Cheek (Columbia/Interscope, 2014)
  • Ruth Brown, The Songs of My Life (Victor, 1993)
  • LaVerne Butler, No Looking Back (Chesky, 1993)
  • Cynthia Crane & Mike Renzi, Our First Christmas (Lookoutjazz, 1993), Smoky Bar Songs for the No Smoking Section (Lookoutjazz, 1994)
  • Blossom Dearie, Positively Volume VII (Daffodil, 1983)
  • Blossom Dearie & Mike Renzi, Tweedledum and Tweedledee (Master Mix, 1991)
  • Trudy Desmond, Make Me Rainbows (Koch, 1995)
  • Ann Burton, New York State of Mind (Apollon, 1986)
  • Judy Carmichael & Harry Allen, Can You Love Me Once More? (JC/GAC, 2016)
  • Meredith D'Ambrosio, Echo of a Kiss (Sunnyside, 1998)
  • Jane Harvey, The Other Side of Sondheim (Atlantic, 1988)
  • Jane Harvey, The Jazz Side of Sondheim (Little Jazz Bird, 2011)
  • Jorn Hoel, Love Will Make You Do Things That You Know Is Wrong (Decca, 1989)
  • Dick Johnson, Introduction to the Lyricon (Computone, 1974)
  • Peggy King, Peggy King Sings Jerome Kern (Stash, 1985)
  • Hilary Kole, You Are There (Justin Time, 2010)
  • Hilary Kole, Moments Like This (Victor, 2011)
  • Peggy Lee, Peggy Lee Sings the Blues (Musicmasters, 1988)
  • Peggy Lee, The Peggy Lee Songbook: There'll Be Another Spring (Musical Heritage Society, 1990)
  • Gene Lees, Bridges: Gene Lees Sings the Gene Lees Song Book (Kanata/CBC, 1971)
  • Jay Leonhart, Salamander Pie (DMP, 1983)
  • Jay Leonhart, Life Out On the Road (Nesak, 1990)
  • Gloria Lynne, This One's On Me (HighNote, 1998)
  • Ray Materick, Sidestreets (Kanata, 1972)
  • Liza Minnelli, Gently (Angel, 1996)
  • Anne Marie Moss, Don't You Know Me? (Stash, 1981)
  • Gerry Mulligan, Soft Lights & Sweet Music (Concord Jazz, 1986)
  • Mark Murphy, Satisfaction Guaranteed (Muse, 1980)
  • Regis & Joy, Just You Just Me (Big Dot, 2009)
  • Samuel Ramey, Sam Ramey On Broadway (Teldec, 1993)
  • Annie Ross, Music Is Forever (DRG, 1996)
  • Carol Sloane, The Real Thing (Contemporary, 1990)
  • Sylvia Syms, She Loves to Hear the Music (A&M, 1978)
  • Was (Not Was), Born to Laugh at Tornadoes (Geffen, 1983)
  • Thomas Young, High Standards (ESS.A.Y 1992)
  • Laurie Beechman, Time Between the Time (DRG, 1983)

References
  1. "RIP Mike Renzi". Newport Buzz. October 6, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  2. "Peggy Lee's official website". Chuck Pulin. 2003. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
  3. "Cyrille Aimee wins the first Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition". NJ.com. October 21, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  4. Genzlinger, Neil (October 14, 2021). "Mike Renzi, a Jazz Singer's Best Friend, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  5. Composer and Musical Director Mike Renzi Dies at 80
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