Diane Marino

Singer/pianist Diane Marino was born in Manhattan, NYC. She received her early piano training of classical studies and improvisation from the age of 10. Diane was accepted on NYC’S ‘Famed’ High School for the Performing Arts as a classical piano major. She later attended the Mannes College of Music in Manhattan where she studied piano with world-renowned concert pianist Murray Perahia. While working towards her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance, Diane began singing with small groups in the NYC tri-state area, After graduating from Mannes, she was singing professionally 6 nights a week. It was only natural and a matter of time before she would combine her singing and piano playing skills.
Diane performed solo gigs for several years in the NYC area before teaming up with bassist Frank Marino. The duo formed the nine member Brazilian group, ‘Som Brasileiro’ (Sounds of Brazil) in 1993 and have performed at numerous jazz festivals, venues and concerts in the Southeast sharing the bill with artists such as Tania Maria, Pete Escovedo, Joe Henderson and Dr. John, to name a few.
Diane’s debut jazz quartet CD ‘A Sleepin’ Bee’ was released in 2003 and has received national acclaim charting on the national charts as well as receiving extensive radio airplay and rave reviews. This CD offers a wide array of vocal and instrumental traditional jazz standards, Latin jazz, and Brazilian jazz (sung in Portuguese).
Diane’s second CD ‘On the Street Where You Live’, released in May of 2004 has also received national acclaim charting on the national jazz charts and proves once again that Diane is a natural whether playing, singing, or both. This CD will take the listener to the very depths of emotions. There is a re-current theme throughout that tells stories of love, and love lost, as well as playful gems of Latin and Brazilian jazz. Diane is joined by bandmates Frank Marino (bass), Mitch Reilly (saxes/flute), and Chris Brown (drums).
Diane Marino and her quartet’s CD ‘On The Street Where You Live’ once again delivers to the listener, masterful musical magic and another gift for the ears to treasure.
The Penthouse Radio - Review by Bob Perry

"Ms. Marino offers brilliant re-interpretations of pop standards..." "With Diane"s CD - "Just Groovin" - some of these classic, chart-topping hits might just find their way back to the Billboard Hot 100" "Diane's duet with Felix Cavaliere singing his signature Rascals tune "Groovin'' -is perfect!

Excerpts from WHLI Radio -NY- Review by Paul Richards

"It succeeds at every level".... "The concept of "Just Groovin" is a plan to perfection.." "Every one of the selections on this album can stand completely on their own as great pieces of music. But as a whole, the album becomes bigger than life"... "Beautiful vocals and out of this world arrangements and orchestrations"... "Utterly enjoyable from start to finish"...

Diane Marino Interview on WHLI Radio, New York:
HOME DIANE APPEARANCES REVIEWS MUSIC/MEDIA
GALLERY LINKS CONTACT What is it about the songs of the 60's that magically draws us back in time?
Just Groovin', the latest offering from Diane Marino, features wonderful re-interpretations of pop standards. These are not copies of other versions. Diane's fantastic voice, accompanied by such greats as Kirk Whalum, The Rascals' Felix Cavaliere, Wycliffe Gordon, and Houston Person among others, is a breath of fresh air for these tunes, reminding us once again that a great song can be interpreted in any number of styles. As Diane puts it:
"There were so many great and diverse songs with no rules and no boundaries. These were not just "pop" songs, they were songs of substance. They were messages and emotions that transcend time and connect with us today. For myself, these songs make me smile after hearing the first bar!
The songs I have chosen here are but a few that are wonderfully timeless.
From great writers as Burt Bacharach to classic groups as The Rascals, Beach Boys, The Tymes and The Ronettes, these songs offer a great soundtrack to our memories.
I hope you will enjoy my interpretations here, as I left the classic versions to the great masters of that most expressive and explosive decade in music history!"
Peace & Love! Band members on "JUST GROOVIN'"
Diane Marino - Piano/Vocals
Frank Marino - Bass
Chris Brown - Drums
GUEST ARTISTS: HOUSTON PERSON, KIRK WHALUM, FELIX CAVALIERE, WYCLIFFE GORDON, ROD McGAHA, MARK DOUTHIT
Guitar: Andy Reiss, Dave Powelson
B-3 Organ: Pat Coil
Percussion: Dann Sherrill
Saxophones: Cole Burgess, Mitch Reilly,Sam Levine,Doug Moffett
Trumpets: Scott Ducaj, Joe Gross
Trombones: Chris Dunn, Bill Huber
Strings: David Angel, David Davidson, Monisa Angel, Anthony LaMarchina
Just Groovin'
2008 - M&M Records