Homonymy happens. It can be a real pain in the neck, but occasionally there’s no way to avoid it.
The word Homonymy (from the Greek—homos: same, onoma: name) is the relation between words with identical forms but different meanings— The Free Dictionary
In the musical world,
where picking the right stage name can be a make-it-or-break-it point, it is not uncommon to find artists or bands under the same name.
Homonymy is so likely to happen in the music industry. However, major platforms, such as Spotify, provide systems to separate profiles under the same name. Homonymy is confusing, especially in these times of social media mania, but the existence of different niches, genres, and styles, makes the situation a bit less complicated.
Will the real Tony Marino please stand up …
In the United States, the name Tony Marino seems to be popular among musicians and artists. With a quick Google search, you can find a list of artists who share it. Amazingly, they all have talent, success and a compelling story behind their music. Each Tony Marino known in the musical world is accomplished in his own niche: from prestigious collaborations to compelling original music, they all have quite a resume.
So, who are they? Where are they from? What is their story?
In Miami, for a start, we could run into freestyle artist Tony Marino, founder of Enforce Records and part of the industry since 1989. His steady collaboration with major producer Tolga Katas delivered many successful hits, such as “Love You Feel” and “One Love”.
Moving up north, in Pennsylvania, we might meet jazz bassist Tony Marino, known for his collaborations with important artists, such as Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Phil Woods, Mose Allison, Urbie Green, John Coates, Bill Goodwin, Vic Juris, and George Young. He is now part of the Dave Liebman Group, founded by the legendary saxophonist who played with Miles Davis and Chick Corea, among others.
Another Tony Marino, on the other hand, is also known in the American jazz scene as a talented drummer.
There is a popular Tony Marino even in the southern-Italian region of Calabria. A street performer, percussionist, and comedian, this Tony Marino is well-known in the town of Reggio for his performances on the sidewalk and his fun personality.
However, Pennsylvania holds another artist under the same name. From Philadelphia, Latin-jazz pianist and composer Tony Marino has released ten albums over the course of a 20-year long career. He stands out for composing and delivering a huge amount of music on a consistent basis.
Inspired to take piano lessons after listening to Leon Russell, he started digging jazz music at a very early age. Soon he discovered Thelonious Monk and other legendary jazz pianists. His original compositions are a mix of different influences and inspirations. They appeal not only to jazz fans but also to a wider audience and have gained a big number of positive reviews on music blogs and magazines.
Knowing the story of all the Tony Marinos
out there teaches us a great lesson. Music is a fascinating world where different niches and inspirations come together. Antithetical styles and personalities, even under the same name, can have success when true to themselves.
So, worry not. Whether you are a fan of dance music and party nights, or a jazz lover, maybe with a Latin touch, there’s a Tony Marino for you.
