Marel Hidalgo is a sixteen-year-old guitarist from Bradley Beach, New Jersey. He began learning music at the age of four, under the instruction of guitar teacher Jerry Franklin at Big Beat Music Studio in Neptune City and within a few months, he had his first presentation as a guest of a renowned reggae artist, Tim P-Dub.
At the age of six, Marel formed his first band “Marel Hidalgo & Friends,” a unique multicultural and multi-generational project that explored a wide variety of music genres, including classic rock, soul, blues, funk, reggae, country, bluegrass and Latin jazz. After his band’s debut in a packed local venue, Marel started building a name in the Jersey Shore music scene, and continued performing in numerous festivals and venues in the tri-state area such as The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, “Art All Night” and “The Levitt Amp Music Series” in Trenton, “South Mountain International Blues Festival” in West Orange, the “Camden Jam Arts and Music Festival” in Camden, the “MAC Fest” in East Orange, Marel has also played at the The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music in New York and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Marel has been continuing his career in the jazz guitar world playing in the style Joe Pass, Johnny Smith, Ernest Ranglin and Jimmy Ponder also reinventing standards completely unaccompanied on the guitar, and playing in venues such as the City Winery in Pittsburgh. Marel has been featured in multiple newspaper articles and TV interviews and performances including The USA Today, Scholastic News and The Harry Connick Jr. Talk Show.
Joining Marel on Stage will be:
Radam Schwartz
Radam Schwartz is a highly respected Hammond B3 organist and jazz pianist. Over the past 30 years, he has built a reputation for his incredible talent and versatility, collaborating with renowned artists such as Arthur and Red Prysock, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Al Hibler, David Fathead Newman, Russell Malone, and many others. Radam has been featured on over 40 albums as a sideman and has recorded 9 albums as a leader. His latest release, “2 Sides of the Organ Combo,” showcases his ability to blend smooth and groove styles of jazz. He has also been a leader in jazz education for over three decades, teaching at various institutions and directing ensembles.
Sir G. Earl Grice
G. Earl Grice is a talented jazz musician and drummer. He has performed with a wide range of artists and genres, including jazz, gospel, funk, rock, R&B, Latin, reggae, pop, and marching. Some notable artists he has shared the stage with include Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Gary Bartz, and many others. Grice has also appeared in over 50 movies and television shows as an actor. He has performed internationally in places like London, Milan, and Kazakhstan1. His contributions to jazz have been recognized with awards, including the 1997 JAZZ AWARD from the Jamaica Development Corp.
Gary Mazzaroppi
Bassist Gary Mazzaroppi is a veteran virtuoso who enjoyed a long-running association with the late great guitar innovator and raconteur Les Paul. Mazzaroppi has accompanied jazz giants from across the spectrum, ranging from vintage greats Lionel Hampton and Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, Red Norvo & Stan Getz, to fusionists Bela Fleck and Chuck Mangione, and, even Willie Nelson, in his songbook excursions. Mazzaroppi has also been a part of various ensembles and groups, such as the Ken Peplowski Quartet and Lionel Hampton & His Giants of Jazz. He has contributed to numerous albums and has been featured on the Piano Jazz radio series alongside Marian McPartland. His versatility and virtuosity have made him a sought-after musician in the jazz community. In addition to his busy playing career, Gary is also in the faculty of the Brookdale Community College School of Music, in Lincroft, NJ
You must be logged in to post a comment.