Body and Soul

Mat Marucci

Mathew "Mat" Roger Marucci III (born July 2, 1945) is an American jazz drummer, composer, author, educator and clinician. He has numerous critically acclaimed recordings as leader, and his performing credits include Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Eddie Harris, Buddy De Franco, Les McCann, Pharoah Sanders, and John Tchicai among others. Marucci was born in Rome, New York into a musical family with professional histories on both sides. His sister, Mena Marucci Colella, was a concert pianist, and his brother, Ed Marucci, was a professional trumpeter. Marucci was classically trained on the piano and switched to drums at the age of 19. After graduating high school from St. Aloysius Academy in 1963, he studied drums with Dick Howard in Auburn, New York, f… more »