A variety of genres and musical styles were an early influence on Rob Martucci during his childhood years. His studies of jazz, classical and gospel piano along with his take from the Chicago music scene has become his signature sound. Today his music can be heard in the smooth jazz, adult contemporary, and country music formats.
At age five Rob began studying classical piano. Thanks to his parents, he was also exposed to the sounds of Elvis Presley, Bill Hailey, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. "My first inspiration came from a player piano roll when I was around 4 or 5. It was "Great Balls of Fire." I guess that's what did it for me. There was a lot of music played in our house. From an early age I can still picture my parents putting records on a turntable that was attached to the wall. From that turntable I heard the greatest thing ever, I heard boogie-woogie. So I tried to copy each lick, note for note, for hours."
Venturing in and out of Chicago jazz and blues clubs as a young adult prompted Rob to study jazz piano. Soon after, he was asked to sit in with local cats, where he began to cultivate his style. He formed his own contemporary jazz band and played the Chicago circuit for sold-out audiences in clubs and festivals.
In 1992 Rob released his first original CD of smooth jazz instrumentals. His follow up CD Beyond The Heart received airplay on a national level. The next CD Stay Awhile a solo piano project, made it to the Top 10 in adult contemporary radio. Always a fan of holiday music, Rob also recorded a Christmas CD made up of his own arrangements. The recording includes an original track titled "Santa Claus Is Rocking Tonight". His CD, Christmas at Santa's, climbed to the No. 1 spot in Holland.
Since then, Rob has expanded his writing into the country music genre. His songs caught the eye of Nashville recording artist Billy Childers. He penned the title track to Billy's CD A Man's Gotta Do What A Man's Gotta Do. Country music star Jamie O'neal joined the project and is featured on Rob's ballad "This Night."
"Songwriting is something great in my life. The piano is my tool to work at it with. In the end it's all about happiness. Music is my happiness."
