Creative Jazz Piano Arranging for Real Fake-book Tunes
Michael Tarro began taking piano lessons at an early age. He studied classical, jazz and popular piano styles for over twelve years. Even as an adolescent, he received numerous awards. Michael supplemented his piano studies by taking courses in harmony, theory, solfeggi and counterpoint. Michael has composed and arranged musical scores for a variety of events. Prior to attending college, Michael assembled his first working horn band where he applied his studies in harmony and counterpoint by emulating the styles of Chicago, Tower of Power and Blood Sweat & Tears. Michael continued his musical studies by attending California State University with concentration in composition, harmony & arranging. He performed in assorted professional bands while in school and taught piano privately. Upon completing his studies, he returned home to Rhode Island. For the next few years, Michael toured nationally with a nine piece show band in the United States and Canada. The band performed many styles of music from standard General Business gigs to elaborate Broadway Productions in which Michael was both the primary arranger and pianist. Michael has arranged various album projects and composed original soundtracks. He has produced commercials for radio & TV for more than twenty years. His advertising productions include Off Track Bedding, Rizzo Ford, J & W University and Arlington RV Supercenter to name a few. His original compositions "Schizophrenia is Better Than Living Alone" & "Alone in Love" received local & national airplay as well as from the nationally syndicated show, Dr. Demento. Michael s originals such as "I won't be hangin' with the guys again", "Suite for Piano & String Quartet" & "Merry Old New England are licensed for film in the soundtrack of The Package. At the present time, Michael resides in Rhode Island with his family where he continues to teach privately and remains active in writing and composing new material professionally.