Nicolas “ Nicky “ Marrero of Puerto Rican parents, son of Nicolas Marrero Pérez from Orocovis, Puerto Rico; was born in Bronx, New York on June 17, 1950. A great percussionist, better known as the wonderful timbalero Nicky MarreroMarrero began playing professionally at the age of 15 with Orchesta Caribe. Thereafter, he was asked by
Willie Colon to join his band where he recorded “Jazzy” on the "
El Malo" album.[3]
From 1965 – 1971 he performed with
Eddie Palmieri's band.[4] In 1968 he recorded the LP Champagne with Eddie Palmieri and His Orchestra, published by the label
Tico Records. In 1970 he recorded the LP Harlem River Drive with Palmieri who brought together other Latin Jazz artists Victor Vinegas,
Andy Gonzales,
Ronnie Cuber along with African American Funk all-stars Jermey Jemmott and
Bernard Purdie.[5][6]"The results of this experiment [were] a deeply funky and socially conscious album, addressing issues of poverty and unemployment and general conditions of ghetto living."[7] He has also performed and recorded with the
Larry Harlow's orchestra from 1971-1973.
He has also taught Latin percussion and music theory throughout New York City and abroad.[12] During the early 1990s, he taught at The Conservatory of Rotterdam in Holland; recorded and performed with
Conexion Latina and Nueva Manteca. After returning to New York, he began performing with
Larry Harlow and the "Fania" Latin Legends Band.[13] In 2008 he recorded a concert called "Live at Willie's Steak House" with Willie Rodriguez,
Andy Gonzalez, Roland Guerrero and Richy Mely.[14]
^Njoroge, N. (2016). Chocolate Surrealism: Music, Movement, Memory, and History in the Circum-Caribbean. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. p. 131.
ISBN9781496830777.
^"Latin Scene". Billboard. Vol. 86, no. 33. Los Angeles. August 17, 1974.
^Amram, D. (1999). Vibrations: A Memoir. New York: Routledge. p. 490.
ISBN978-1594515835.
^Roberts, J.S. (1999). The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 211.
ISBN9780195121018.
^Benjamin, L. (2020). New York and the International Sound of Latin Music, 1940-1990. New York: University Press of Mississippi.
ISBN9781496831323.
^Steward, S. (1999). !Musica!: Salsa, Rumba, Merengue, & More: The Rhythm of Latin America. San Francisco: Diane Pub Co. p. 62.
ISBN1422364666.