Introducing Drummer Maria Marmarou

At the 2023 Jazz at Lincoln Center Jack Rudin Championship, held January 14 and 15 at JALC's Rose Hall, drummer Maria Marmarou, a graduate student at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance, received the Earl Hines Outstanding Musician Award. She also shared Outstanding Drums honors with Nygel Anderson of Florida State University and Pete Zimmer of Northern Illinois University. And, she was part of Temple's Outstanding Rhythm Section, which also included pianist Anthony Aldissi and bassist Dan McCain.

"It feels great to have been awarded the Earl Hines Award," she said. "It means so much, and I'm very grateful for that." Marmarou has one year left until she finishes her master's degree at Temple and plans on a jazz performance career. She has been a member of the big band directed by Terell Stafford, Temple's Director of Jazz and Instrumental Studies, and can be heard on its 2021 BCM&D Records album, Without You, No Me, dedicated to the late tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath. Playing with that band, she said, has been "one of my biggest highlights in college. The coolest thing was recording two albums with the band, one of them alongside Christian McBride and Joey DeFrancesco." That album, Without You, No Me, was released in September 2021 on the BCM&D Records label. All About Jazz's Jack Bowers, reviewing the album, called it "a picturesque tribute to Heath... A warm and spacious salute to a jazz colossus."

While attending Kutztown (PA) High School, Marmarou studied under percussionist Dr. Willis Rapp. "He inspired me and taught me so much," Marmarou said. "I participated in county and district jazz and orchestra ensembles as well as All-State and the NAfME National Jazz Ensemble. I am so glad I had those experiences because, as well as learning so much, I met many friends my age and people like Chris Crenshaw, Terell Stafford, (drummer) Sherrie Maricle, and (bassist) Rodney Whitaker, who I still have relationships with today. Dr. Rapp helped me prepare for those auditions and lent me his sweet '60s Gretsch drum set for one of the performances."

Marmarou "always loved the Basie Orchestra and Elvin Jones when I was in high school. Elvin Jones played with so much power and beauty at the same time. Right now, I really enjoy hearing my teacher, Justin Faulkner, as well as Byron Landham, Herlin Riley, and Roy Haynes."

When she attended the annual Boscov's Berks Jazz Fest in Reading, PA, with her high school band, Marmarou met Terell Stafford, "and after he directed our band, he told me to come to Temple. I visited Philadelphia for my audition and immediately felt at home and knew I would enjoy living in this city for four years. I also read through (drummer) Steve Fidyk's big band book with Dr. Rapp in high school, so I knew I wanted to study with him. (Fidyk is an adjunct faculty member at Temple).

On February 11, Marmarou will be playing with a quintet led by saxophonists Tim Warfield and Steve Wilson at Cincinnati's Café Vivace. Over the past several months, she has played with trombonist Michael Dease, pianist Orrin Evans, and vocalist Kurt Elling. During her visit to New York for the Jack Rudin Championship, she was able to lead her own trio for the late set at Dizzy's Club. And, "I got to hang out with Carlos (bassist Carlos Henriquez and Obed (drummer Obed Calvaire) at Dizzy's when I played the late nights after Carlos' band performed."

Marmarou is a multiple recipient of Temple's Billy Strayhorn Jazz Education Scholarship. "I am very grateful to have received those awards," she said, "because, as a freshman and sophomore, I was working very hard and not at a point where I thought I earned them, so I know that my teachers saw the potential in me."

This is the second year Marmarou has received the Outstanding Drums award. "I put in a lot of time towards practicing since last year's Jack Rudin competition," she said, "so I'm glad it was felt by everyone. The experience of playing in front of so many people last year prepared me to know my music well and to be relaxed and confident this time around. Temple and Philadelphia," she continued, "has a powerful community with the faculty and students. People truly care about each other here, and I've made some relationships that will last forever and have allowed me to grow so much as well."

The Jack Rudin Championship honors the legacy of Jack Rudin, a longtime supporter of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He was also a founding supporter of JALC's Essentially Ellington competition. The Temple student finished in Second Place in 2023, receiving an award of $7,500. First Place ($10,000) went to North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, and Third Place was awarded to the Michigan State University College of Music in East Lansing, MI.

Judges were trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who is JALC Managing and Artistic Director, drummer Jeff Hamilton, saxophonist Ted Nash, vocalist Catherine Russell, and trumpeter Bijon Watson.

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