Pianist & Vocalist TRACEY JAMES MARINO has been a professional musician since the age of 10. Tracey provides exquisite music for: corporate events & cocktail hours, holiday parties, weddings & anniversaries, fashion shows, teas & luncheons, fundraisers & charity events, celebrity birthday parties & roasts, black-tie affairs, b'nai mitzvahs, bridal & baby showers, casino nights, memorials, open houses & grand openings, sing alongs, and just about any special event imaginable.

Able to sight-read music, use charts, play "by ear," transpose, and improvise on the spot, TRACEY JAMES MARINO is also an experienced vocal coach, studio musician, songwriter/composer, musical theatre director, and a piano accompanist for singers, choirs, and instrumentalists in the San Diego area.

For booking, please click on the CONTACT page above or send an email to PartyPianist@cox.net or call (760) 746-4488.

BIOGRAPHY

TRACEY JAMES MARINO is a full-time, singer-songwriter-pianist from San Diego, California. Originally from Boston, MA, she began playing piano at the age of 4. A professional musician since the age of 10, she is a published songwriter whose original music is used in local theatre productions and schools, and she gives concerts and plays for private parties and special events. Her music is even heard playing daily at noon on the carillon bells at Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo.

Tracey has a memorized repertoire of more than 10,000 songs, and has written 200 compositions, songs and lyrics. She has sung and played piano for celebrities like Jerry Jones, Chelsea Clinton, Mandy Patinkin, Roseanne Barr, to name a few, and has entertained patrons at well-known restaurants and resorts around Southern California.

Since 1992, Tracey has performed at songwriter showcases in San Diego, Nashville, and Los Angeles, and studied songwriting with Jai Josefs. She earned a bachelor?s degree from San Diego State University, studying journalism and music composition. She and her husband, guitarist-vocalist-producer VANCE MARINO, perform as a musical duo and in bands. They own a self-contained ProTools digital recording studio (SONGMAKER PRODUCTIONS) and create original music for film & TV.

?I?ve been influenced by many musical artists and composers; it?s tough to choose a favorite. I studied classical music when I was a kid, but I would never play the music exactly as written. This frustrated all of my piano teachers, except one who was a composer. In fact, he encouraged me to write music and to play by ear. I appreciate all music, but I especially like movie soundtracks. Favorite film composers include John Williams, Maurice Jarré and Dave Grusin. When I was a toddler, my parents took me to see the movie ‛Zorba the Greek.? When we got home, I sat down at the piano and played the score. I can usually play a song after hearing it once or twice. I didn?t learn to read notes until I was in high school, and it was quite a struggle!?

Tracey and Vance sometimes play their new original material in songwriter showcases. ?Several years ago, I was playing keyboards in this tiny coffeehouse in Poway (north of San Diego) called ‛Java Joe?s.? I noticed a singer who impressed me with her visceral interpretation of ‛House of the Rising Sun.? When we had finished performing our sets, she said she would love to have me play keyboards on her CD. I told her I would love to, if she would sing on my CD. Unfortunately, we never exchanged phone numbers that evening. Was I ever surprised several months later when she had landed a recording deal with Atlantic Records. The singer was Jewel!?

MUSIC EDUCATION:
- UCLA, Extension: Music Theory and Songwriting.
- USD, Graduate studies.
- SDSU, B.A.: Professional Studies and Fine Arts degree; studied music theory, performance, and composing.
- Palomar College, A.A: Music & Liberal Arts. Studied music, theater, and voice.
- Studied organ from Dr. James Weld and Beth Stormont
- Studied voice from Ann Chase and Dr. Sarah Lopez
- Studied classical piano with La Jolla Chamber Maestro John Garvey and Grammy winner Earl Wilde
- Studied jazz piano with recording artist Rick Helzer
- Studied composition and songwriting with Dr. David Ward-Steinman and Author/Songwriter Jai Josefs
- Studied flute from Jane Masur and Irish harp from Dorinne Yoder.

MEMBERSHIPS:
- BMI (since 2006)
- SCL, Society of Composers & Lyricists (since 2008)
- Film Music Network (since 2007)
- TAXI (since 1996)
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International (since 1993)
- SDSG - San Diego Songwriters Guild (since 1992, SDSG is on hiatus)
- Jai Josef?s Monday Night Group (1993 to 1996)
- NAS - National Academy Of Songwriters & LASS - Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase (1993 to 1997, now defunct)
- Broadjam Primo Member (since 2006)
- Just Plain Folks (since 2003)