Marel Hidalgo is a 16-year-old guitarist from Neptune, NJ. He started playing guitar at age four and, at age six, formed his first band, "Marel Hidalgo & Friends," a multicultural and multigenerational ensemble that played extensively in local festivals and venues.
As the lead guitarist of his band, Marel started to gain recognition and the attention of larger festivals and the media, which landed him multiple performances at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, and appearances on Univision, News12, Channel 9 ABC, and Harry Connick, Jr.'s NBC talk show Harry, along with press articles including in USA Today and Scholastic Magazine. Marel has continued his musical career as a jazz guitarist, leading his combos and performing solo at venues, educational institutions, and festivals. He is now presenting his new show, “The Jamaican Jazz Songbook,” with his quartet.
Marel has studied with many great musicians and educators, including Jazz Messenger trumpeter Valery Ponomarev, pianist and composer Radam Schwartz, and guitarists Jerry Franklin, Donald Reagan, and David O`Rourke. He has been part of the NJPAC TD Jazz for Teens program since last fall under Mark Gross's direction.
10 Questions with Marel Hidalgo:
1. What do you like to listen to?
I like listening to good music, and that doesn’t really have a specific genre. But usually, whenever I listen to something, it’s related to what I’ll be playing at that time, so jazz and Jamaican music is always playing.
2. What was one thing about your instrument that surprised you when you started learning to play?
Mainly the amount of genres that could be played, especially when I began playing with my own band that usually played all genres of music, from progressive rock, bluegrass, and even neo-classical music.
3. What inspired you to start your own band at such a young age?
Since it was so long ago I don’t remember the exact reason, but ever since I picked up a guitar I had always wanted to play in some capacity, so forming a band was the next logical step.
4. Who are some musicians or bands that have influenced your playing?
As of this moment, I’d have to say Joe Pass for his solo jazz guitar work, Ernest Ranglin for his Reggae-Jazz and Caribbean/Jamaican jazz albums, as well as Hank Garland, Charlie Christian, Tal Farlow, and Charlie Parker.
5. How would you describe the role of the guitar in a band?
The role of the guitar is versatile, ranging from being an instrument that mainly takes solos, all the way to providing chords/support in a rhythm section, along with drums, bass, and the piano. It usually depends on genre, the size of the band, and how comfortable the guitarist is with soloing and/or supporting.
6. What is your process for practicing improvisation?
It’s mainly a mix of running ideas, phrases, and trying to find what sounds good. Everyone will have a certain preference in what they think sounds good, but the most important part for me is finding what fits/compliments the style I’m playing.
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still playing guitar and growing my career.
8. What or who do you consider to be your musical community?
A good musical community should be anyone who plays an instrument, and/or loves music. And luckily, I have been surrounded by people who fit that description.
9. What advice would you give your 9-year-old self?
Being able to play more chords and accompanying other instruments, a.k.a. comping, is not only advice I’d give myself, but also for other musicians at any age.
10. Do you have any tips for people just getting started on an instrument?
The hardest, yet most critical part of anyone learning an instrument is putting aside time to practice. Most people learning the guitar have either jobs, schoolwork, or other commitments, and finding a good balance between life and practice is challenging for most. However, once you can find that balance, learning an instrument becomes much easier.
Marel's recommended playlist:
