For decades, Michael Mani has been the secret weapon behind some of music’s biggest moments—the Grammy-winning keyboardist and producer who helped launch careers (Tori Kelly, Becky G), shaped iconic records (Santana’s Supernatural, Lady Gaga’s early work), and quietly mastered every genre from rock to pop. Now, with his debut solo album Triangles, the industry vet is finally claiming center stage—and redefining what it means to be a lifelong student of sound.
“I dropped my golf clubs on the sixth hole when Santana called,” Mani laughs, recalling the surreal moment he was summoned to record what would become a Grammy-winning rock instrumental with Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton. That story encapsulates Mani’s career: always ready, always evolving. A classically trained keyboardist who cut his teeth in Bay Area studios, he’s spent 20+ years adapting to music’s revolutions, from analog tapes to AI plugins. “Keeping up with technology is the biggest challenge,” he admits. “But as a keyboardist, I geek out on new gear—it keeps me hungry.”
Triangles marks Mani’s boldest pivot yet—an all-instrumental passion project that showcases his virtuosity without vocals as a crutch. “It’s me speaking through keys and synths,” he says of the album, which ranges from jazz-inflected reveries to cinematic electronica. True to form, he’s already assembling a live band to translate its complexity to the stage.
What’s most striking about Mani isn’t his versatility, but his mentorship ethos. The man who helped discover two of pop’s biggest stars and collaborated with many others like The Backstreet Boys and Michael Bolton, has simple advice: “Figure out what you do well and do it relentlessly.” It’s a lesson he learned the hard way after “wandering down too many musical roads” early in his career.
Now, as he eyes touring and a Top 10 debut, Mani remains grounded in gratitude. “Always stay humble,” he reflects. “We’re just vessels for creation.” For an artist who’s spent decades elevating others, Triangles feels like both a homecoming and a new beginning.
Michael Mani isn’t just making music—he’s reminding us how it’s meant to be felt. Stream Triangles now here and follow MikeMani.com for tour dates.
“The best songs are still unwritten—and I’m just getting started.” — Michael Mani