Born in 1924 (four years after Renato Carosone, and four years before Domenico Modugno) in a family of musicians, Marino Marini graduated from the Conservatorio di Bologna and made a difficult living by teaching music, until called by the army. In 1947, while being appointed artistic director of the Metropolitan music-hall in Napoli, he tried various forms of musical ensembles. However, his posting in that city was for him a revelation: he felt he was re-born to the Neapolitan music, and he dug in that colourful repertoire for his first interpretations. 1949 was the date of his first visit to the USA, where he met Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton and Charley Ventura: this was for him a first hand exposure to be-bop and more generally to the US jazz scene, which was influential in his later style. ...show more

Born in 1924 (four years after Renato Carosone, and four years before Domenico Modugno) in a family of musicians, Marino Marini graduated from the Conservatorio di Bologna and made a difficult living by teaching music, until called by the army. In 1947, while being appointed artistic director of the Metropolitan music-hall in Napoli, he tried various forms of musical ensembles. However, his posting in that city was for him a revelation: he felt he was re-born to the Neapolitan music, and he dug in that colourful repertoire for his first interpretations. 1949 was the date of his first visit to the USA, where he met Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton and Charley Ventura: this was for him a first hand exposure to be-bop and more generally to the US jazz scene, which was influential in his later style.

On his return, he started writing music scores for the film industry and various revues, while playing in cabarets in Rome and Napoli (La Conchiglia) then frequented by GI's and the local rough. In search for the "ideal" formation, he publishes the following advert in 1954: " Wanted: young musicians without experience, signing in tune. If not cheerful don't apply" - this advert attracts 200 replies; the retained 3 musicians: Sergio (drums), Toto (electric guitar) and Ruggero (double bass + vocal) formed the first MM quartette. This new formation made a sensation and history started accelerating from that point: of time: - 1955: first recording with Durium, - 1956: first appearance on the Italian TV, followed by his first tour in France and booming sales of his first successes: Guaglione, Don Ciccio o' piscatore, Rico Vacilon, La Pansè, Maruzzella.

- 1957: his success crosses the borders of Europe, to include the USA, the Middle East and Japan. - 1958 was the year of his first tour to the UK London Palladium, as co-star to Jerry Lewis. M. Theodorakis signed him up to collaborate to the film "Honeymoon". ...show less