Born: July 2, 1945 Primary Instrument: Drums
Mat Marucci is an active performer, author, educator, and clinician listed in Who's Who In America, International Who's Who In Music (Cambridge, England) and the Institute of Jazz Studies (Rutgers University). His performing credits include jazz greats Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, Pharoah Sanders, and John Tchicai among others. He has eight critically acclaimed recordings to his credit as a leader and others as a sideman, including those with John Tchicai and Jimmy Smith and is also the author of several books on drumming for both Lewis Music and Mel Bay Publications. Many of his books and recordings have garnered four and five stars in various trade magazines including Jazz Times, Jazziz, Modern Drummer and Downbeat.
Additionally, Mat has been an Adjunct Professor for American River College (Sacramento, CA), a faculty member of The Jazzschool (Berkeley, CA) and is an endorser for Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drumsticks and Remo drumheads. He has written numerous articles on drumming for Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines along with those for the Percussive Arts Society's Percussive Notes and Percussion News.
Awards:
Artscapes 2003 Grant Recipient - Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
Recording Grant - Samuel C. Allen Foundation (2003)
Nomination For Intruction Book Of The Year - Drum! Magazine (2007)
Last Updated: July 3, 2009
”....an unpretentiously efficient drummer.......” - Leonard Feather / L.A. Times
”....a vital and driving force, a compelling and empathetic accompanist.” - Frankie Nemko / Downbeat Magazine
”.....technically fearsome......” - Owen Cordle / Jazz Times
”.....veteran percussionist deserving of wider recognition.” - Ken Dryden / All Music Guide
”Mat's playin' his a** off.” - jazz organist Jimmy Smith
”Yes, he can play! His time feel is smooth and floating.” - T. Bruce Wittet / Drums, Etc.
”...popular and prolific sideman”........”well earned rep on the California coast.” - Derek Taylor / Cadence Magazine
”Marucci is a sure propellant to any soloist”......”keenly aware...” - Clifford Allen / All About Jazz
”.....quite simply a musician's musician”...”clear, definitive personality as a leader”.....”personally distinctive drum sound”........Marcus Crowder / Sacramento Bee
”A ride to deeper dimensions” .....Jackson Griffith / Sacramento News & Review
”The real deal”....Eric Cohen / WAER-FM (Syracuse, NY)
“Marucci thunders with a percussive sparkle that twists and turns with surprises at every corner.” - Jim Santella, Cadence Magazine
“Sounds are great!” - Miff Mole, KSDS-FM
“I saw Mat play with Jimmy Smith and sat thinking, 'that is what it sounds like to play perfectly for the music.'”...”soloing techniques are not only musical, but original and fascinating for the eyes and ears”...”true master of the drums.” - Johnny Rabb
RECORDINGS AS LEADER:
"Partners In Crime" (2009, Co-Leader with Doug Webb) Cadence Jazz Records, New York
"Change-Up" (2007, Co-Leader with Doug Webb) CIMP Records, New York
"No Lesser Evil" (2007, Co-Leader with Doug Webb) Cadence Jazz Records, New York
"3 The Hard Way" (2006, Co-Leader with Doug Webb) CIMP Records, New York
"Genesis" (2004, Co-Leader Sacramento Musical Arts Ensemble) Cadence Jazz Records, New York
"Ulterior Motif" (1998) Jazz Inspiration Records, Canada
"Body And Soul" (1991) Timeless Records, Holland
"Avant-Bop" (1983) Tudor Records, New York
"Extensity" (1981) Marco Records, Los Angeles
"Festival" (1980) Marco Records, Los Angeles
"Lifeline" (1980) Marco Records, Los Angeles
"Who Do Voo Doo" (1979) Marco Records, Los Angeles
RECORDINGS AS SIDEMAN:
Valerie V, "Nice 'N' Easy" CDL Records (2009)
Jimmy Smith, "Daybreak" West Wind Records (2005)
Various Artists, "Jazz For Lovers" Direct Source (2000)
John Tchicai, "Infinitesimal Flash" Challenge/Buzz Records (2000)
Various Artists, "Matinee Jazz" Jazz Notes Records(1998)
John Allen, "Dreamworld" Digital Futures (1991)
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Primary Instrument:
Drums
Location:
Sacramento, CA
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Has been a faculty member - The JazzSchool, Berkeley, CA
Adjunct faculty member - Los Rios Community College District
Applied Music Instructor - American River College, Sacramento, CA.
Zildjian cymbals
Remo drumheads
Vic Firth drumsticks
