Mat Marucci

Mathew "Mat" Roger Marucci III (born July 2, 1945)^[1] is an American jazz drummer, composer, author, educator and clinician. He has numerous critically acclaimed recordings as leader, and his performing credits include Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, Pharoah Sanders, and John Tchicai among others.

Marucci was born in Rome, New York into a musical family with professional histories on both sides.^[2] His sister, Mena Marucci Colella, was a concert pianist, and his brother, Ed Marucci, was a professional trumpeter. Marucci was classically trained on the piano and switched to drums at the age of 19.^[3] After graduating high school from St. Aloysius Academy in 1963, he studied drums with Dick Howard in Auburn, New York, from 1964–1965. At Auburn Community College, he received a degree in Business Management in 1965. Marucci relocated to the West Coast in 1969. Attending Sacramento City College, he received his Associate of Arts Degree in Music in 1973. He has lived between New York City, Los Angeles and Sacramento since that time.

In addition to recording and performing, Marucci has authored several books on drumming for both Ashley publications and Mel Bay Publications. His recordings and books have garnered four and five star reviews in Jazz Times, Jazziz, Modern Drummer, Downbeat and Drum! magazines.^[4] Additionally, Marucci has written numerous articles on drumming for Modern Drummer and Downbeat magazines, and for the Percussive Arts Society's Percussive Notes. He has also written articles for several prominent jazz websites including AllAboutJazz.com.

Contributing to jazz education, Marucci has been an Adjunct Professor in the Los Rios Community College District in the Sacramento area. He was also an Applied Music Instructor at American River College, Sacramento, California and at the Jazzschool, Berkeley, California^[5] and an Applied Drumset Instructor at the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society.

He married his wife, Diane, in 1982. They have a son, Mathew Roger IV, born 1986, a semi-professional drummer; and a daughter, Therese Renee, born 1989, an amateur pianist and flutist.

Discography

As Leader

1979: Who Do Voodoo (Marco)
1980: Lifeline (Marco)
1980: Festival (Marco)
1981: Extensity (Marco)
1983: Avant-Bop (Tudor)
1992: Body and Soul (Timeless)
1998: Ulterior Motif (Jazz Inspiration)
2004: Genesis, with Marcus Burger (Cadence Jazz)
2006: 3 the Hard Way, with Doug Webb (CIMP)
2007: No Lesser Evil, with Doug Webb (CIMP)
2007: Change-Up, with Doug Webb (CIMP)
2009: Partners In Crime, with Doug Webb (Cadence Jazz)
2010: Live at the Jazz Bakery (Marco)
2011: Why Not?, with Doug Webb (Cadence Jazz)
2013: Live at Jazz Central (CIMP)

As Sideman

John Allen - Dreamworld (Digital Futures) 1991
John Tchicai - Infinitesimal Flash (Challenge/Buzz) 2000
Jimmy Smith - Daybreak (West Wind) 2002
David Haney - Live from Yoshi's (Cadence Jazz) 2009
David Haney - Avenue of the Americas (CIMP) 2012
Valerie V - Nice 'N' Easy (CDL) 2007
Bruce Kelly - Invitation to a Song (Markane) 2009

Bibliography

For Ashley Publications

Progressive Studies for Drums (1971)
Progressive Studies in Jazz Drumming (1972)

For Dorn Publications

The 15-Minute Keep-in-Shape Workout (with CD) for Sticks & Mallets Magazine (1998)

For Mel Bay Publications

15-Minute Warm-Ups for Drums (2000)
A Simple Approach to the Drum Rudiments (2003)
Drumstick Finger Systems and Techniques (2003)
Drumming Facts, Tips & Warm-Ups (2005)
Jazz Drumming Essentials and More (2010)

References

^ Prato, Greg. "Mat Marucci Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
^ "Marucci, Mat (Mathew Roger Marucci III)". www.jazz.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
^ "Jazz Monthly.com Interview with Mat Marucci 2009". www.jazzmonthly.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
^ "Mat Marucci @ All About Jazz - Musician Profile". Retrieved 2015-08-20.
^ "Mat Marucci Official Website". matmarucci.yolasite.com. Retrieved 2015-08-20.