FREDERICK J. MARUCCA
‘Freddy Marr’ (1932-2015)Freddy Marucca graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1950 and started a
band with Joe ‘Burpo’ Marino, Joe and Tony Marillo and Joe Leo. He attended Fredonia School of Music,
but left to join the Air Force when he was assigned to the Air Force Band, stationed in Valdosta Georgia for four years.

Later on, he attended the Berkley School of Music in Boston Massachusetts soon to return home to support his family. His family and music were his life passions! Besides playing the piano, he composed piano arrangements to accompany various vocalists and musicians. In the 70’s, he arranged music and played piano for Mel Torme, during the Miss USA pageant that was held at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. For two years, he played the piano bar on the Carnival Cruise Lines out of Miami Florida. For over forty years, he entertained at many piano bars in the Western New York area nightclubs, and was known as ‘Freddy Marr’.

He performed in such places as The Charles gate, Kane’s Red Carpet, Orazio’s, RainTree, and
the Italian Village. He partnered with drummer Bobby Deeb for most of his music career, and occasionally with Jim Sansone, who would show up with his trumpet at one of Freddy’s gigs. After his retirement, he
continued playing the piano in local nursing homes two-to-three times a week accompanying various singers to include Marilyn Mann, Patty Altman and Rita K. He knew all the words and music to the older songs, which the patients remembered and loved so they could sing along or dance. Freddy also gave piano lessons for many years at Rogers Piano in Buffalo. Here, he also became a piano tuner, where he learned and
acquired the tools making piano-tuning another part of his music career.

In addition to piano, Freddy also played the marimbas and the Hammond electric jazz organ. Being born in Italy, Freddy often played traditional Italian tunes. His family recalls him still singing and playing the piano up until a week before he died. It is with great pleasure to honor Frederick ‘Freddy Marr’ Marucca and his music legacy in the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame Class of 2018.