congamike
Musician in Bartlett, IL
- Member #
- 351550
- Member since
- 5 Jun 2010
- Last activity record:
- Active within 1 month
- Instruments played:
- Vocalist - Tenor, Acoustic Guitar, Drums, Other Percussion
- Genre:
- Blues, Jazz, Funk
- Screen name:
- congamike
- Location:
- Bartlett, Illinois, 60103
- Gender:
- Male
- Age:
- 50 years old
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 35
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- 2-3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 4-5 nights a week
- Most available:
- Days
Instruments experience:
- Vocalist - Tenor:
- Intermediate
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Intermediate
- Drums:
- Expert
- Other Percussion:
- Expert
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Accordion, Cello, Upright bass, Trombone, Dobro, Banjo, Flute, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboard, Saxophone, Trumpet, Violin, Other Percussion, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - General.
About
Michael Marotta’s Music Biography
I was born in Rockford Il. on August 14 1962. I started playing piano at the age of 4 and at age ten continued playing the organ until age 17. I started studying drums at age 12 and have continued until the present. My first gig was at age fifteen playing for my church. At age 18 I started college at NIU where I studied computer science. I also studied drums, was in three different combos and even studied electronic music. After graduating in 1985 with a BS degree I moved to Arlington Heights where I found some gigs playing around town with a country rock band. In 1989 I started studying latin percussion with Ruben Alverez and Joe Rendon. In 1993 I had an opportunity to go back to school and study music in an academic atmosphere. At school I studied all the legitimate percussion instruments along with my teaching classes. In 1996 I received an Outstanding Recognition award from Elmhurst college Jazz Festival. In 1997 I graduated with my BA in music education. In 1999 I started a Jazz Performance degree at Roosevelt University in Chicago. There I studies with some very good teachers including Scott Mason, Mio Tiana, Ed Green and Rob Parton. Also in 1999 I started studying piano tuning with Nick Kircher, who was a technician in Chicago and I still tune pianos to this day. In 2000 I graduated from Roosevelt University with my MA degree in jazz performance. I have continued to perform with people such as Jackie Allen, Jennifer French and even Randy Brecker. I also continue to teach from my home and from different music schools around the area including: Arlington School of Music, Schaumberg School of Music and Roselle School of Music. References available upon request.
Influences
Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Shelly Mann, Steve Gadd, David Garribaldi, John Guerin, Curt Cress, Bernard Purdie, Danny Saraphine, Tito Puente, et al.
Equipment List
Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, Latin Percussion.