Over the years, we have featured many of our friends and neighbors who are making a difference and impacting our community and beyond. From award-winning authors to record-setting marathon runners, we are surrounded by many talented individuals who are proud to say it all began right here in our backyard.
This month, we are proud to introduce you to Nick Marziani, an award-winning saxophonist and rising force in today’s music scene. Nick is a proud Marple Newtown High School (MNHS) graduate to which he credits much of his success.
Nick grew up in the Springton Pointe Estates section of Newtown Square with his father, Tony, his mother, Bonnie and his older sister, Natalie. “For as far back as I can remember, music was always playing in our house,” Nick said. “My father was a professional keyboard and piano player in his early 20s, and my mother played piano and saxophone.”
Nick said that when he was in elementary school, he had the opportunity to choose an instrument he would like to learn. “I went home and told my mom that I really wanted to play the trumpet,” Nick explained. “She responded by handing me a Kenny G. CD and suggested that I might like the saxophone a little better.” Nick popped it in the CD player and never looked back.
From that moment, Nick said he became a student of all styles of Jazz music. Early on, he found inspiration by listening to Earth, Wind and Fire and The Brothers Johnson; then he discovered Smooth Jazz which is a blend of Funk, R&B and Jazz. He began listening exclusively to our Philadelphia Jazz Radio Station (WJJZ) and spent his free time studying and absorbing every element of Jazz he could find.
By the time Nick was in 8th grade at Paxon Hollow Middle School, he was a stand-out musician who earned a spot on Marple Newtown’s High School Jazz Ensemble. And the following year, he received a best solo award for alto saxophone at the Glenn Miller Division of Jazz Champs. Nick was the first freshman to receive that award.
He continued to shine at MNHS, earning the lead alto saxophone seat in the Pennsylvania All-State Jazz Ensemble and the Philly All-Star Big Band for three years consecutively, and was selected as both lead alto saxophonist and lead tenor saxophonist for the All-Eastern and All-National Jazz Ensembles. “I have to thank the teachers and musical directors at Marple for giving me every opportunity to excel,” Nick explained. “And I have to say that being a member of the Marple Newtown Tiger Band is like being a part of one big family who encouraged me to pursue my dream of becoming a musician.”
After graduating from MNHS in 2018, Nick headed to the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Under the tutelage of saxophone legends Donny McCaslin and Jaleel Shaw, Nick graduated in 2022 and in that same year, won the DownBeat Magazine Award for Blues, Pop and Rock Soloist. Today, Nick is proud to say he is fulfilling his dream of becoming a full-time musician living in the Big Apple. “I love living in New York City and enjoy traveling the country to perform and record,” he said. “It’s a dream come true.” Aside from Nick playing in renowned Jazz clubs in NYC, Philadelphia and beyond, he also loves to perform at Jazz festivals around the country and for weddings and private events. “Nothing makes me happier than seeing people up on their feet dancing the night away to my music,” he said.
Over the last few years, Nick has explored the world of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and has found a way to combine it with Smooth Jazz. “During the pandemic, all of our live events were canceled, so I took the opportunity to dive into the world of music production,” he said. “I taught myself to produce new music and blend different styles to create unique sounds.”
Drawing inspiration from all sides of his musical upbringing, Nick’s songs combine the soulfulness and colors of jazz with the upbeat grooves of dance, pop and R&B music. Influenced by the improvisational prowess of Michael Brecker to the funky grooves of Grover Washington, Jr., Nick’s playing brings a fresh, unique perspective to the saxophone in the Philly and New York jazz scenes.
Nick has led his band at the legendary Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia and renowned NYC jazz clubs ShapeShifter Lab and The Bar Next Door, having also played the Apollo Theater, Kennedy Center, Kimmel Center, Harriet Tubman Freedom Music Festival, Westylvania Jazz Festival, Burlington Jazz Festival, and more as an in-demand sideman. Nick has shared the stage with jazz legends Wycliffe Gordon, Ingrid Jensen, and more.
For more information about Nick Marziani and to listen to his music, visit www.NickMarziani.com, follow him on social media platforms or stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. If you would like to contact Nick for performance opportunities, email him at Nick@NickMarziani.com.
Publisher’s Note: By coincidence, again this month, I’m proud of another MN grad, also an Eagle Scout I watched grow up to become a young man of great musical note and fond memory. I recall Nick Marziani, the MN Jazz Band phenom even taking his sax on camping trips from time to time. Nick, you were always one to “Do Your Best.” Look where that’s taken you. We’re all proud.