Marc Puricelli

Marc Puricelli demonstrates notable versatility as an improviser across an array of performance contexts while distinguishing himself as a skilled postbop musician. His birthplace was Detroit, yet Massachusetts provided the setting for his formative years, during which early involvement in rock and blues groups preceded his enrollment at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The year 1978 brought a move to New York, where piano instruction came from Roland Hanna and composition studies took place at Juilliard. Steady engagements at Sweet Basil went hand in hand with accompaniment duties for multiple dance companies. Among his numerous professional ties stands his service as musical director for Esther Satterfield, Chet Baker, Sonny Fortune, the J.B. Horns, John Blake, Ahmed Abdullah, Kevin Eubanks, and Avery Sharpe. Additional recording work occurred with Jack Wilkins, the J.B. Horns, and Avery Sharpe. He has also composed classical chamber music and maintained a substantial role as an arranger. Two albums have appeared under Marc Puricelli’s leadership on the Music Masters imprint.