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Talent seems to manifest itself in some unusual places, and Tony Marino~{!/~}s Latin jazz music is no exception. Indiana may be better known for John Mellencamp and basketball (not collectively, of course), but with his latest release It~{!/~}s Not That Complicated, the sounds of the Heartland are being challenged and redefined.
From the brief but whimsical opener ~{!0~}Burgett,~{!1~} this collection, featuring a handful of newly arranged singles, is perfect for that Saturday dinner party, Sunday brunch or just about anytime there~{!/~}s a martini and a chaise lounge nearby.
~{!0~}Do Me a Frevo~{!1~} and ~{!0~}Philly Tango~{!1~} best exhibit Marino~{!/~}s skills on the ivories, and the funkiness of ~{!0~}Time Out~{!1~} shows that an album doesn~{!/~}t necessarily have to fit into one mold to be great.
~{!0~}Meet Me Out Back~{!1~} sounds like it lifted its skirt and stepped straight from the Eddie Palmieri songbook. If this doesn~{!/~}t make you feel the Caribbean wind, nothing will.
~{!0~}Mission Hill Drive~{!1~} feels so familiar that after several spins it nearly becomes impossible to avoid. If public radio is looking to fill the gap between seasonal pledge drives, may I suggest throwing this on repeat and stepping out for a smoke while the money rolls in? I think I may.
If I had but one gripe, it would be that just as I found myself digging into the closing track ~{!0~}I Have To Go,~{!1~} the damn thing ended. Now that wasn~{!/~}t so bad. Was it?
As a whole, It~{!/~}s Not That Complicated is fun yet relaxed while completely avoiding the pastiche of the powder-blue tuxedoed lounge acts that entertain lonely cougars prowling smoke-filled hotel bars across this wonderful land.
- Derek Blackmon Indie-Music
Tony Marino's love of music started a young age. Having taken piano lessons since the age of 7, he began studying with pianist Bill DelGovenatore at 11 and at 14 he began sneaking into jazz clubs in his native south Philly. At the clubs, he gained exposure to jazz greats such as McCoy Tyner, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, and Art Blakey.
Tony joined his first band, idea '71, at 15, even while studying with jazz and classical pianist Tom Lawton. Tony acknowledges many influences to his sound including, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmier and Chick Corea, but Latin jazz has always been his favorite particularly the styles of Paquito D' Rivera and Claudio Roditi.
In May of '95 Tony relocated with his wife and children to Ft. Wayne Indiana. There Havana Heat was born, consisting of musicians Dave Streeter, Larry Ford, Mike Patterson, Steve Smeltzer. The band had a lot of success in area clubs with the Afro Cuban Jazz genre, so Tony began to write and compose his own original Latin music.
In '97 Tony Marino and Havana Heat released their first CD "The Latin Jazz Project, featuring the jazz styles Bomba, Bossa, Mambo, Swing, Samba, Tango, and Waltz. In 1999. Marino released his second CD Note For Note, encompassing his knowledge of Brazilian Jazz forms including the Bossa Nova and Frevo.
In December 2000 Tony released Samba De Say Party. This CD is Brazilian Jazz with most of the songs Sambas Marino combines Latin styles with a enough glitzy funk to fuel several parties. The title cut starts of as wild as carnival with a few primate calls thrown in for spice. The music then settles into well-orchestrated Latin dance music. The musicians have the same duality of control led fire as championship ballroom dancers. Tango, Rumba Marimba, Bossa Nova? No, Samba De Say Party!
The sweet and mellow second cut, Chancery Place is dedicated to his new home. Minor Differences is repetitive yet with a slow building drama and a sweet melody that endears.
Cut four, As Good As It Gets has the kind of melody that gets stuck in your head. All in all this is wonderful dance music. Get this CD and some dancing shoes and dance the night away.
- Lee Prosser - Jazz Review
Samba De Say Party? showcases Tony Marino~{!/~}s experimentation
with various Latin flavors and textured
beats. It~{!/~}s easy listening in the positive
sense of the term. This is Marino~{!/~}s third
release throughout his artistic journey
and his pursuit is of a very personal,
musical vision. Samba De Say Party?, is a rhythmic
kaleidoscope of Brazilian jazz cleverly meshed
with arresting melodies, and a well-crafted assortment
of bossa nova, funk, ballad, swing, waltz, bolero and tango.
Marino~{!/~}s adult, lounge-friendly, self-produced effort
is a satisfying piece of confectionery. The sultry
compositions and arrangements complement Marino~{!/~}s
ability to translate the essence of Latin American
music with inventive soundscapes. Musically, Samba De Say Party?,
transcends genres with a percolating brew of classical jazz piano
and Latin idioms. Marino~{!/~}s arrangements are played with sophistication
and ease at any tempo from the sassy, ~{!0~}Samba De Say Party,~{!1~} to the upbeat
grooves of, ~{!0~}Sylvana~{!/~}s Tango, ~{!1~} to the smooth piano sound of, ~{!0~}Stephanie~{!/~}s Song.~{!1~}
Samba De Say Party? is a provocative listen that deserves wildest discovery.
- - Carla Archuletta - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM
With his last release, Samba De Say Party, still in regular rotation on WBNI, Tony Marino has released Broad Street, his fourth album of invigorating original Brazillian jazz compositions, this time paying tribute to his Philadelphia roots. As in past albums the songs exhibit a strong sense of songwriting prowess with broad enough appeal to tickle the ear of more than just die-hard jazz aficionados.
The songs incorporate many styles, including samba, bossa nova, frevo, tango, montuno, bolero, be bop, swing and calypso, but since this white cracker could't tell a Montuno?from a Frevo? even if it was grafted onto my left hip, I'm somewhat rowing in foreign waters. But I can tell when a song works and many of these compositions squarely hit their marks.
We're Home, for instance, is a lively jaunt sporting a Latin rhythm and an extended piano solo. South Philly Samba is a rollicking bit of fantastic fun evoking images of women being spun around in frilly south-o-the-border dresses. In Enough hyperactive piano playing is wedged between calmer lyrical sections while the closing title track brims with a happy melody encased in an adventurous structure destined to make you smile.
Paquito D'Riveria's "Song For My Son" is one of two covers, the other being "The Monster And The Flower" by Claudio Roditi, where a sincere piano quietly regales the listener with a melody of stunning beauty while convincing drums lay down a light rhythm.
"Cigars In The Garage" effectively depicts a sleepy day among friends and the original "I Want To Spend My Life With You," dedicated to his wife Kristina, is appropriately melodic, enchanting, and romantic.
With nine tracks clocking in at just over 30 minutes, Marino leaves you yearning for more so hit the repeat button already and sit back to enjoy these intoxicating melodies lovingly wrapped in tight compositions.
- by Jason Hoffman - Whatz Up Magazine
Discography
It's Not That Complicated (2006)
Five (2004)
Broad Street (2003)
Samba De Say Party (2001)
Note For Note (1999)
The Latin Jazz Project (1997)
All of Tony's cds are receiving "airtime" by numerous public radio stations and continue to hold a spot on WBOI 88.7 FM's top 40 favorites playlist and DMX's popular rotation.
Photos
Bio
Tony Marino (composer, pianist, leader) has created a loyal following and not all of his listeners are jazz enthusiast. His style seems to capture listeners from other genres continuously. Formerly known as Havana Heat, Tony continues to define his music with the area's top musicians, under the new name Latin Jazz Sounds. This magnetic band performs both original compositions and jazz standards using various Latin styles of music: samba, bossa nova, frevo, tango, montuno, bolero, be bop, swing and calypso.
His first cd "Tony Marino & Havana Heat: The Latin Jazz Project" was released January 1997. The cd debuted original jazz compositions using a variety of latin styles.
"Note For Note" with sixteen new original compositions was released in 1999. On this cd, Tony took a new approach. He wrote, composed and recorded all of the instruments used, himself. He literally recorded this cd note for note, hence the name!
"Samba De Say Party", released in 2001, is "adventurous and exploratory in combining the elements of Brazilian jazz with those of bolero, swing, tango, funk and others". (Heidi Drockelman/Indie-Music)
"BROAD STREET"(2003), pays tribute to his "Philadelphia roots" again using familiar latin rythms. The varied Brazilian and Latin material that inspired it is respectfully treated, with energy levels revealing both commitment towards and understanding of their respective sensual and lively natures. It features seven Latinized offerings from Marino and one each from Paquito D' Rivera and Claudio Roditi -who are key personal and intellectual influences." (~~ Javier Antonio Quinones Ortiz)
Tony's fifth cd, cleverly named "5" is an assortment of Jazz... Smooth , Modern, Odd Time, Bossa Nova, Waltz, Be Bop, Ballad, Samba, Organ Trio, and Blues. 5 surely has something for everyone!
Tony's newest cd, "It's Not That Complicated", will capture you too! With 8 new compositions, including be-bop, samba, frevo, funky blues, and other styles and 4 new arrangements. "It's Not That Complicated" final cut "I Have To Go" has you wishing that THAT JUST WEREN'T TRUE!
All six cds are being "aired" by numerous public radio stations and continue to hold a spot on Ft. Wayne, Indiana's WBOI 88.7 FM's top 40 favorites playlist and DMX's Latin Jazz rotation.
Also available is "Tony Marino's Latin Jazz Sounds" songbook which includes the sheet music of the orginal compositions (from Samba De Say Party, Note For Note, & The Latin Jazz Project) for C, Bb, and Eb instruments.
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