I am a composer, pianist, and recording artist of original music spanning many genres …
Hello, my name is Tony Marino, and I am a composer, pianist, and recording artist with a lifelong passion for creating original music. Over the years, I’ve released 23 albums that explore jazz, Latin jazz, tango, funk, rock, and world music, blending traditions from around the globe into something uniquely my own. My goal has always been simple: to move listeners with music that is authentic, personal, and deeply original.
My story begins in South Philadelphia, where I grew up surrounded by music. At just seven years old, I heard Leon Russell and knew I wanted to play piano. Unlike many kids who start lessons and quit, I stuck with it, studying with my first mentor, Bill DelGovenatore, who introduced me to Thelonious Monk and the world of jazz.
By the time I was in high school, I was already performing with a Philadelphia-based Italian-American band called Idea ’71. With them, I recorded albums, played across the Tri-State area, and built the foundation for my professional music career.
But my true creative path began in 1997, when I released my debut project, Tony Marino & Havana Heat: The Latin Jazz Project. From there, my journey as a composer and bandleader took off.
Since then, I have released albums year after year, exploring different styles while staying true to my jazz and Latin roots. Some highlights of my career include:
- Note for Note (1999), my first solo album.
- The Latin Jazz Project Songbook (2002), which published sheet music from my early albums.
- Thank You for the Music (2018), a tribute to jazz legends like Astor Piazzolla, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk.
- Tango Silhouette (2019), inspired by my Argentinian roots and winner of a Global Music Award.
- Qué Pasa (2020), a Latin jazz album with the title track honored as a Global Music Award Bronze Medal Finalist.
- Swing Your Thing (2021), recognized by the Global Music Awards for big band excellence.
- Friday Night (2024), a comeback album following a serious injury that nearly ended my career.
Each of these projects has been a milestone, not only in my personal life but in my artistic evolution.
Music has also been my way of connecting with people across places I’ve lived—from Philadelphia to California to New Jersey and back to Fort Wayne. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of studying with masters like Breno Sauer, Jose Valdez, Jim Trumpeter, Laurence Hobgood, and Mark Soskin, who expanded my knowledge of harmony, improvisation, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Brazilian jazz.
In 2023, I faced one of the toughest challenges of my life when a serious injury tore my left bicep. For a pianist, that kind of setback was devastating — and the truth is, I’m still on the road to recovery. During this time, I wasn’t able to play or compose at my usual pace, so I turned to my stash of unreleased songs to keep the music alive. Out of that difficult chapter came Friday Night, a joyful and resilient record dedicated to the doctors, therapists, and loved ones who stood by me.
Most recently, I’ve been expanding my sound into new directions. Tango Improvisations (2024) reimagined tango with fresh, adventurous improvisation. Then came The Rock Album (2025), which marked a bold departure into instrumental rock, blending raw energy with the same creative spirit that has guided all my work. And of course, The Funk Album brought another side of my musical voice to life — a groove-driven project that let me channel rhythm and soul in a whole new way.
Looking back, what I’m most proud of is staying true to original music. My compositions are deeply personal, but they are also meant to be shared—to bring joy, comfort, energy, and inspiration to listeners everywhere. Whether you discover me on Spotify (listen here), attend a live show, or simply explore my discography, my hope is that my music connects with you in a meaningful way.
Thank you for letting me introduce myself. I’m Tony Marino, and my journey as a composer, pianist, and recording artist is still unfolding—one original song at a time.