Tony joined his first band, idea '71, at 15, even while studying with jazz and classical pianist Tom Lawton. Tony acknowledges many influences to his sound including, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Palmier and Chick Corea, but Latin jazz has always been his favorite particularly the styles of Paquito D' Rivera and Claudio Roditi.

In May of '95 Tony relocated with his wife and children to Ft. Wayne Indiana. There Havana Heat was born, consisting of musicians Dave Streeter, Larry Ford, Mike Patterson, Steve Smeltzer. The band had a lot of success in area clubs with the Afro Cuban Jazz genre, so Tony began to write and compose his own original Latin music.

In '97 Tony Marino and Havana Heat released their first CD "The Latin Jazz Project, featuring the jazz styles Bomba, Bossa, Mambo, Swing, Samba, Tango, and Waltz. In 1999. Marino released his second CD Note For Note, encompassing his knowledge of Brazilian Jazz forms including the Bossa Nova and Frevo.

In December 2000 Tony released Samba De Say Party. This CD is Brazilian Jazz with most of the songs Sambas Marino combines Latin styles with a enough glitzy funk to fuel several parties. The title cut starts of as wild as carnival with a few primate calls thrown in for spice. The music then settles into well-orchestrated Latin dance music. The musicians have the same duality of control led fire as championship ballroom dancers. Tango, Rumba Marimba, Bossa Nova? No, Samba De Say Party!

The sweet and mellow second cut, Chancery Place is dedicated to his new home. Minor Differences is repetitive yet with a slow building drama and a sweet melody that endears.

Cut four, As Good As It Gets has the kind of melody that gets stuck in your head. All in all this is wonderful dance music. Get this CD and some dancing shoes and dance the night away.