On July 11, 2025 - Mike Clark & Mike Zilber released ‘Standard Deviations’ on Sunnyside Records. It’s another incredible set of new music by the team that brought ‘Mike Drop’ to numerous charts in 2022. - The album re-interprets jazz standards in unique and innovative ways.
Fast forward to October 3, 2025 - Mike’s new Wide Hive Records CD will hit. – Itai Doshin (Itai Doshin is a Japanese Buddhist concept meaning "many in body, one in mind", emphasizing unity and a shared purpose among individuals despite their differences.)
“Mike Clark refuses to conform to anyone’s expectations on ‘Itai Doshin’. The album is a searing set of mostly straight-a-head jazz that keeps listeners guessing even as it never waivers from Clark’s solid, unerring sense of swing.”
“Itai Doshin accurately and honestly captures where I am as a jazz artist at this point,” – Mike Clark
Itai Doshin - Track Listing:
1. EPISTROPHY 4.18
2. CHEROKEE 7.46
3. MGANGA 4.15
4. INSIDE ZONE 3.38
5. I SHOT THE SHERIFF 6.06
6. SAVANT CLARK 3.06
7. MIDORI 6.34
8. YAKINI’S DANCE 5.26
9. EPISTROPHY II 5.03
It features Eddie Henderson, Craig Handy, Patrice Rushen, Henry Franklin, with Mike Clark on drums. Wide Hive is a cool new record label out of Oakland, California. Like fine wine, Mike Clark keeps improving with age. He turns 79 on October 3rd – The day ‘Itai Doshin’ is released.
“One of jazz music’s most heralded traditions is breathing new life into older material. Re-imagining standards and well-known songs provides impetus and backbone for ensemble connection and creative improvisation. Saxophonist Michael Zilber and drummer Mike Clark utilize their understanding and mastery of the jazz canon and popular songs on their new recording, Standard Deviations, a recording seemingly familiar yet new”
All the tunes are first-rate - however, I keep going back to my personal favorite Green Dolphin Street (Redolphined).
‘Standard Deviations’ Tracks one through nine
1. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Beatrice 06:00
2. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Blues For Chambers 05:55
3. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - I Get Along Without You Very Well 06:17
4. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Cousin Mary 05:16
5. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Turnaround (And Around Again) 07:04
6. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Green Dolphin Street (Redolphined) 06:28
7. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - The Very Thought Of You 05:26
8. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber - Hallelujah (Secret Chords and Holy Doves) 06:22
9. Mike Clark & Mike Zilber – Footprints 06:42
“Mike Clark has provided the pulse to innumerable influential rhythm sections over his long and varied career. The drummer’s association with Zilber has blossomed over the last decade, focusing mainly on their love for New York City’s hard swinging jazz tradition.”
