Valentina Marino
“Passion and vulnerability resonate in every phrase of Valentina Marino’s music. A channel of artistic individualism, the Italian-born singer, composer and lyricist draws inspiration for her compositions and arrangements from personal experiences and universal insight. Brimming with evocative phrasing through a lush tone, Marino's music is an extension of her sensitivity and imagination as an artist and a human being. She responds to each moment with a clarity of intention and an honest expression of self” (Stephanie Jones).
After attending Italy's prestigious University of Music in Rome, Marino headed to Vienna to start performing abroad as a band leader. Following her live success playing alongside trio members, pianist Johannes Thoma (with whom Marino released “Color of voices”, on ATS Records) and bass player, Carl Hodas, Marino traveled west to earn her BFA in Vocal Jazz Performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City.
Under the direction of master bass player and music legend, Reggie Workman, Marino acted as lead vocalist and arranger of The New School's John Coltrane Ensemble.
Marino soon began performing all over the metropolitan area, alongside such formidable jazz voices as Ray Blue, Cameron Brown, Anthony Pinciotti, Ray Gallon, and Marco Panascia. She performed at Carnegie Hall with the Havasi Symphonic Orchestra, and the most iconic New York City clubs and music venues (the Cotton Club, Kitano Hotel, Somethin' Jazz Club -now Club Bonafide-, The Flatiron Room, Cleopatra's Needle, The Shrine, The Garage, Zinc Bar, Bar Next Door, Rue B, Pangea and Smalls Jazz Club). After getting signed by “Jazzheads” Record Label, which released her first US album “In the Name of Love” (2016) and, later, her single “The Peacocks” (2018), Marino started touring in Florida, Louisiana, Italy and Austria, performing on the stage of the most internationally renowned jazz music venues, such as The Arts Garage (Delray), Snug Harbor (New Orleans), Alexander Platz (Rome), Porgy and Bess (Vienna).
Artfully curated by Marino and producer Cameron Brown, In the Name of Love features Marino’s original lyrics and compositions, as well as contemporary arrangements of classic favorites from Bossa to Bowie. The personnel include the eclectic array of international artists who have supported Marino's creative vision throughout her burgeoning career.
Marino’s “In the Name of Love” has been played worldwide by the most remarkable jazz radios (including Hawaii Public Radio, WBGO, and WWOZ) and has been highly reviewed by the most accredited press (Hot Jazz, Jazz Corner, Down Beat, Hot House, All about Jazz).
Developing and establishing an international legacy as a genre-bending artist who values creative inclusivity, Marino has more recently started planting her jazz roots in cross over territories. She has performed with her new projects at the famous Fabrica De Arte, in Havana, Cuba, the Rote Bar in Volkstheater, Vienna, and the historic Bitter End in New York City, which has hosted since the 70s vocalists of the highest caliber like Joni Mitchel and Bob Dylan.
While performing, Marino keeps channeling her evolving synergy in the studio. In 2020 she released the album “Quarantine Covers” and in 2021 the single “Heart of Glass”, which both mark Valentina’s latest experimentations with rock, pop and indie sounds. 2022 will be instead the year of Marino’s original album release, East 75th, a collection of songs that she wrote and arranged, being inspired by stories and situations of her life in and out the New York City apartment on the Upper East Side.