BIOGRAPHY
Rick Marotta, born on January 7, 1948 in New York City, NY, is an American musician, music composer and producer.
Marotta is a self taught musician — he began playing the drums at the age of 19 when a friend gave him a drum kit. He began his professional playing career in New York City playing with different R&B groups and recording with David Spinozza and the group Giant. He soon joined up with members of the New York based band The Vagrants to form Brethren. Rick then went to Los Angeles to record two albums with Brethren and enjoyed a measure of success with this band. Later Rick went back to New York and began to develop a reputation as a talented session player. While working in New York, Rick recorded with such notable musicians as Larry Carlton, The Brecker Brothers, David Sanborn and John Tropea.
Rick Marotta's body of work is a reflection of a very talented and prolific musician. His signature style and ever-tasteful playing can be heard on many classic recordings like "Gaucho", "Aja", and "Royal Scam" by Steely Dan. Rick has performed and recorded with many diverse artists like Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Lennon, Hall & Oates, Stevie Nicks, Wynona Judd, Roy Orbison, Todd Rundgren, Roberta Flack, Peter Frampton, Bette Midler, Quincy Jones, Jackson Browne, Michael McDonald, Waylon Jennings, Joan Osborne, Tony Childs, Randy Newman, Peter Gabriel, Kenny G., The Jacksons, Linda Ronstadt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Warren Zevon, and many others.
Outside of his work as a session player, Rick produces records and composes film scores and music for popular television shows such as "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Yes Dear." In 2005, Rick was honored with two awards for this composition from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) at the 21st Annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards.
Rick Marotta has adopted the same philosophy and attitude to composing as he has to drumming and says, "Simple is usually better."
