By Kate Bartlett
This weekend, September 15-17, marks an Ellicottville favorite – the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend. “Queen City – A Tribute to Queen”, takes the Winery of Ellicottville Main Stage Saturday at 1pm, playing two free outdoor sets. Hailing from Buffalo, Queen City is Western New York’s finest tribute to rock hall-of-famers, Queen. The band features Mark Marinaccio (keyboards), Scott Panfil (vocals), Jason Neubauer (guitar), Joe Goretti (drums) and Paul Yates (bass).
Queen City was founded by Mark Marinaccio, who is also band manager, or “band dad” as the other members affectionately call him. His résumé is versatile, as he is an accomplished educator, composer, arranger and producer – and, of course, performer.
As most musicians do, Mark started as a student. His first teacher and inspiration was Paul Marinaro, an acclaimed jazz vocalist based in Chicago, and Mark’s uncle. “All children have inherent ability; it just takes something to ignite it.” Mark started piano lessons at age six and, due to their relaxed nature, music never felt like work. “I grew up in an extended family of music-lovers, in which exploration and creativity was encouraged. I received a formal education at my grandmother’s house from a familiar face.”
During high school, Mark took both piano and saxophone lessons from a Buffalo legend, the late Salvatore “Sam” Scamacca (Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Recipient 2001). “I learned almost everything I know about harmony from Sam. We shared a birthday. Although he was my grandfather’s age, he was my friend. He was a mentor and idol. I adored him.” It was a surprise change of plans that launched Mark into the educational field. “One day, when I was 17, I showed up for my lesson and Sam told me I would be teaching his lessons for the day. I was terrified but Sam told me it was time, and he was right.” Mark would maintain a studio of pianists, aged five to 75. “It was baptism by fire, and I haven’t stopped teaching since.”
Mark was involved in various ensembles while in the West Seneca school system, and even played football for most of his adolescence. “My teammates called me names because I was a musician, and the music kids called me a ‘jock.’ I loved both, so I did both.”
Mark moved on to college at Fredonia. It was there that he took a deep dive into piano repertoire, composition, orchestration and a’cappella music. His love of arranging began as co-director and resident arranger for an a’cappella group and in year three, he was elected Director of Vocal Jazz Ensemble. His eight-piece college band, BeArthur, smashed together jazz, dance, funk and a full horn section. They released an album, “Welcome to the Ongoing” (2006), and earned entry onto stages next to Blondie, Average White Band and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. “We had chemistry and a commitment to originality that I’ve come to learn is rare. We put everything into those songs, we loved each other, and we still collaborate to this day.”
Immediately after graduation, Mark began his public school career and pursued a Master’s degree in the evenings. He recently began his 19th year of school teaching.
In 2007 Mark began a 13-year run as keyboardist and arranger of event band Party of Nine that included 500 performances throughout the region. “Although from different eras, styles and circles, we enjoyed an extraordinarily fruitful period because of everyone’s adaptability and professionalism.”
Mark and California-based musician Michael Ballacchino co-founded Windtree Theory in 2020, a growing team focused primarily on record production. Collaborations to date include Alex McArthur, Emily Rodriguez, Jaden Coronado, Feiner, Ali Critelli and the late Sara Rogers. In between singles, Mark enhances films of varying lengths by composing their musical scores.
Although Queen City was founded just over two years ago, they’ve cultivated a passionate following, compiled numerous positive reviews and sound as if they’ve been together for decades. “I have such respect for each member of this band. I would never dare perform with a single substitute member,” said Mark. “I’m most proud of how, after each show, at least five fans comment on how much fun we appear to be having. The secret is…we are.”
Surprisingly, the band formed somewhat on a whim.
“I was playing at an event in Buffalo when I saw a friend, Scott Panfil, in the crowd. I called him up on stage to sing, and he called out a Queen song. Then another, and another. The owner loved it so much, he invited us back to play on Labor Day, under the condition we only play Queen songs. I had less than a month to find available musicians. On such short notice, I still don’t understand how I got lucky enough to find Scott, Jason, Joe and Paul.”
Mark’s favorite thing about performing is the challenge. “So many things have to go right to pull this music off. They always do, and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s so satisfying. It’s a thrill.”
Queen City – A Tribute to Queen, takes the Ellicottville stage at 1pm on Saturday, September 16. For more information on the band and everything else Mark Marinaccio, visit https://linktr.ee/marinacciomusic.