John Marasco

Position
Former Associate Professor
Affiliated Departments

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Career Highlights
  • Performances with Lettermen, Peter Allen, Louis St. Louis/Alexis Smith, John Valenti, Mundell Lowe, Don Rickles, Eartha Kitt, Al Martino, BeBop Guitars, Joan Rivers, Jerry Vale, TKO Big Band, and White Heat Swing Orchestra
  • Television appearances in the United States, Canada, and Japan
  • Theater work includes A Chorus Line, Chess, Little Shop of Horrors, Will Rogers Follies, Evita, Good News, and Showboat
  • Recordings with the Bebop Guitars include The Bebop Guitars and More and Freshly Painted Blues
Education
  • A.A., Niagara Community College
  • B.M., Berklee College of Music
In Their Own Words

"The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. From its beginnings in classical music to today's popular music, the guitar is heard in a wide spectrum of styles. I've always liked to play in many different styles, which has served me well over the years. Being able to play in various styles has helped me to work in many different situations, playing everything from classical to jazz to blues to rock. The guitar is versatile, but it's also very hard to master."

"I'm a jazz musician first and continue to work at becoming better at this challenging style, but I love many other ways the guitar is played, and I learn from them as well. I try to be like a sponge and absorb whatever I can."

"I try to be flexible with my students. I try to let them know what I think is important, the nuts and bolts of being a musician, and work to help them reach their musical goals. You have to be able to play, to execute things on your instrument. You have to have great ears, and you have to have a great sense of time."