Biography

Michael Marano began his musical studies at the age of 8 in the public school system of his home town of Belleville, New Jersey.   His first instrument of choice was the alto saxophone, later followed by the tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, clarinet and flute by the age of 12.  He also plays trumpet and flugel horn as taught to him by his father, who was a professional trumpet and cornet player during the Big Band era with comedian Jerry Lewis. Mike’s twin brother, Frank, also plays the trumpet and was a member of the U. S. Naval Academy Drum & Bugle Corp in Annapolis, Maryland where he graduated in 1975 as a naval officer. By the time Michael entered high school, he realized music was his strongest attribute and in his senior year, he was named to the first ever New Jersey All-State Jazz Band in 1970.   Participation in this group convinced him to apply to music schools all over the country and he was accepted to North Texas State University, University of Washington, Berklee School of Music and the University of Miami to name just a few. Mike decided to concentrate on Studio Music and Jazz studies at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.   It is there where he was heavily influenced by some very talented professors/musicians, most notably, future world renowned Jazz guitarist, Pat Metheny, Jazz bassist, Mark Egan and drummer, Danny Gottleib. Mike was a featured Tenor Sax soloist in the U. of Miami Rock Ensemble with guitarist Steve Morse and singer Patti Scialfa who became Mrs. Bruce Springsteen.   Mr. Marano participated in many student jazz bands, rock ensembles and was also a member of the University of Miami "Hurricane Marching Band of the Hour" which performed at all home football games at the famous Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Mr. Marano then decided to concentrate in the field of music education and attended Montclair State College near his home in Northern New Jersey and earned a BA degree in Music Education in 1976.   While attending both schools and after graduation, Mr. Marano played professionally with many various types of musical groups in the greater NY/NJ area.   It is during this period of performing where Mr. Marano gained invaluable experience in playing all genres of music such as:   Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Swing, Latin, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Pop, Disco, Top 40 and Cover-Band Music.   Some of the groups he performed and traveled with were:   Sound Street, , Lock, Stock & Barrel,  and Then and Now.  He continues to play with the local cover band, Hawkins Road  and  plays all the woodwind instruments in the pit bands for local high school musicals. Mr. Marano also worked in the casino industry as well as freelancing as a musician to support his family before he entered the field of teaching in Galloway Township as a teacher's assistant in 1988 when Reeds Road School was first opened.   He became an instrumental music teacher in 1990 and moved over to the new Roland Rogers School when completed in 1991 and has served as its only band teacher since the school's inception. Mr. Marano has lived in Galloway Township with his wife Maria, since 1978.   They have two children who attended the Galloway Schools and graduated Absegami HS.   Their daughter Michelle, an award-winning flute and piccolo player, holds a BA in  from Montclair State University and served as the band director at the Alder Avenue Middle School in Egg Harbor Township for three years.   She  began her teaching career when she  taught band and chorus in the Barnegat School District for one year.   She also taught in the Atlantic City School District for one year.   Their son Michael, also an award-winning saxophonist, attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and  was commissioned as a lieutenant in the US Army upon graduation in 2008.   Mike  was stationed in Vilsec, Germany and was deployed to Afghanistan from June, 2010 thru June, 2011. He is currently stationed at Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Army's Old Guard.   He is a Captain.   Mrs. Maria Marano taught music in the Egg Harbor Township School system until becoming an Assistant Principal at the Davenport School in 2005.  Mr. Marano's hobbies are locating instruments at flea markets and yard sales for his band students, instrument repair and collecting vintage and modern saxophones of all types.   He also enjoys collecting and riding bicycles to keep in shape so he has enough air to blow into all those instruments he owns.