Spike Wilner
Michael "Spike" Wilner was born and raised in New York City, where a youthful exposure to a docudrama about Scott Joplin sparked a lifelong passion for ragtime and jazz piano. At just 14, Wilner made his performance debut playing Joplin’s iconic “Maple Leaf Rag” at the St. Louis Ragtime Festival. He continued developing his craft through high school, participating in an award-winning jazz band.
Wilner was part of the legendary inaugural class of the New School for Social Research’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program, led by Arnie Lawrence. There, he formed lasting friendships with future jazz luminaries including Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Chris Potter, Roy Hargrove, and many others.
Throughout his career, Wilner has led numerous bands in renowned New York jazz clubs and toured with illustrious ensembles such as The Artie Shaw Big Band, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Maynard Ferguson.
As a leader, Wilner has released several acclaimed recordings, including Portraits (2000), A Blues of Many Colors (2002), Three To Go (2008, Posi-Tone), Live At Smalls (2011), La Tendresse (2012, Posi-Tone), and Koan (2016, Posi-Tone)—a trio album featuring Tyler Mitchell and Anthony Pinciotti, his working band that performs internationally.
In 2006, Wilner published The Lion of the Piano, a folio of transcriptions of Willie "The Lion" Smith’s work, one of his musical idols. He completed his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at SUNY Purchase in 2007.
Wilner’s enduring relationship with Smalls Jazz Club began in 1994 with a regular gig that eventually became his permanent musical home. Today, he is the owner and manager of Smalls, where he continues to perform regularly. In 2015, Wilner expanded his vision by opening Mezzrow, a second jazz club located nearby in Greenwich Village.
Michael "Spike" Wilner was born and raised in New York City, where a youthful exposure to a docudrama about Scott Joplin sparked a lifelong passion for ragtime and jazz piano. At just 14, Wilner made his performance debut playing Joplin’s iconic “Maple Leaf Rag” at the St. Louis Ragtime Festival. He continued developing his craft through high school, participating in an award-winning jazz band.
Wilner was part of the legendary inaugural class of the New School for Social Research’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program, led by Arnie Lawrence. There, he formed lasting friendships with future jazz luminaries including Brad Mehldau, Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Chris Potter, Roy Hargrove, and many others.
Throughout his career, Wilner has led numerous bands in renowned New York jazz clubs and toured with illustrious ensembles such as The Artie Shaw Big Band, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Maynard Ferguson.
As a leader, Wilner has released several acclaimed recordings, including Portraits (2000), A Blues of Many Colors (2002), Three To Go (2008, Posi-Tone), Live At Smalls (2011), La Tendresse (2012, Posi-Tone), and Koan (2016, Posi-Tone)—a trio album featuring Tyler Mitchell and Anthony Pinciotti, his working band that performs internationally.
In 2006, Wilner published The Lion of the Piano, a folio of transcriptions of Willie "The Lion" Smith’s work, one of his musical idols. He completed his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at SUNY Purchase in 2007.
Wilner’s enduring relationship with Smalls Jazz Club began in 1994 with a regular gig that eventually became his permanent musical home. Today, he is the owner and manager of Smalls, where he continues to perform regularly. In 2015, Wilner expanded his vision by opening Mezzrow, a second jazz club located nearby in Greenwich Village.