Biography

b. Chicago, Illinois, USA. Mamet began playing piano at the age of five but was far from being the only member of his family with creative urges. His brother, David Mamet, is a noted playwright and screenwriter; another brother, Tony, is a rock musician; and sister, Lynn, is a screenwriter. After high school, Mamet attended Johns Hopkins University where he began studying law, but switched to the study of music, first at Peabody Conservatory, then at Pepperdine University, and later at the Dick Grove School of Music. He played professionally with a fusion band, Panacea, then decided to concentrate on a career as a composer, forming a music services company for this purpose. The company was Music Pac, in which he was partnered by Kevin Klingler. Through this enterprise, Mamet wrote music for television shows and commercials. He also composed music for a number of films, including Necromancer (1988), Aftershock and Caged In Paradiso (both 1990). In the early 90s, Mamet shifted direction, moving into the smooth jazz field, performing and recording as a solo pianist and also working with others, including saxophonists Gerald Albright and Eric Marienthal. He also recorded in duo with fellow jazz pianist David Benoit on Adventures In Jazz. Drawing stylistically from both the classic and the contemporary jazz piano genres, Mamet has succeeded in attracting a wide audience.