Marotta, Jerry (6th February 1956-Present)

He is a drummer, percussionist, singer and producer born Jerome David Marotta in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Harrison, New York. He began his life in music at an early age when he started learning the clarinet followed by the saxophone at school from the 4^th grade. It was not successful, however, until he started to concentrate on drums after his brother had bought a set home. His brother Rick is also a successful drummer and composer.

He graduated from high school a year early in 1973 and took his final exams after getting called to perform with his brother Rick in the band Arthur, Hurley and Gottleib whose single release had just made it into the Top 40.

Two years later he became a member of the group Orleans who were based in Woodstock, New York. With them he achieved his first real success with the song “Still the One” which was recorded in Los Angeles. He also toured with them in support of Jackson Browne but in 1977 John Hall of Orleans decided to leave the band and left them not sure of where they’d go from there.

In 1977 he went to work with Peter Gabriel in London and this led to touring and recording with him over the next decade as well as numerous other top artists.

In 1986 he put together the band Island of Men and established Jersville Studios in Woodstock, New York.

During his career to date he has worked with many artists and groups as a musician and/or producer and a few of these include Joan Armatrading, Mary Black, Blancmange, T-Bone Burnett, Carlene Carter, Marc Cohn, Marshall Crenshaw, The Dream Academy, Robbie Dupree, Michael Franks, Robert Fripp, Nanci Griffith, The Indigo Girls, The Korgis, Los Lobos, Martha & The Muffins, Paul McCartney, David Newman, Iggy Pop, Robbie Robertson, John Sebastian, Doc Severinsen, Michelle Shocked, Ronnie Spector, David Sylvian, 10,000 Maniacs and Bonny Tyler among many others.

In the 2010s he has spent time on projects for Dreamland and Jersville Studios and touring with Linda Eder and working with the bands Sevendys and the Tony Levin Band. He has also been heard annually performing on the season finale of TV’s Survivor. In 2012 he put together The Security Project with members of Peter Gabriel’s band from 1978-1984 as well as members of King Crimson’s band.

As you can imagine his album output is extensive but a select few of them include his own album Waking the Day as well as First Wish by Chris Botti, Chronicles by Cher, Spike by Elvis Costello, Anthology: North South East West by Tim Finn, Peter Gabriel (1), (2), (3) Security and So by Peter Gabriel, X-Static and Voices by Daryl Hall & John Oates, Afterglow by Sarah MacLachlan, Room for Squares by John Mayer, Press to Play by Paul McCartney, The Other Side of the Mirror by Stevie Nicks, Waking and Dreaming by the Orleans, Torch by Carly Simon, Hard to Hold by Rick Springfield, Songs from the Big Chair by Tears For Fears, The Catskill Collection by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason and 99.9F by Suzanne Vega.

Peter Gabriel Recordings
Games Without Frontiers (Peter Gabriel)
(Charisma CB 354)(UK45)

Sources:

Marotta, Jerry (6th February 1956-Present)

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