Sherrie Maricle
Biography
From the drum set, Sherrie Maricle leads The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, her quintet FIVE PLAY and co-leads the 3D Jazz Trio. She is also a freelance performer, published composer and arranger, educator, clinician, guest conductor and soloist.
With her bands Maricle has performed at venues and festivals worldwide, including Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl, as well as jazz festivals across Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Ireland, England, Croatia, Japan, Vietnam and Israel. Additionally, Maricle and DIVA were featured at the 2017 NEA Jazz Masters Awards Ceremony, the soundtrack for the NBC-Macy's Fireworks Spectacular, "CBS Sunday Morning" with Charles Osgood, TCM's televised broadcast of the 25th anniversary of the Kennedy Center and NHK Japan's "New York Jazz". The band also co-stars in the award-winning documentary film "The Girls in the Band."
Maricle has received numerous awards and honors, including the 2023 Yamaha Music in Education Legacy Award, the 2022 Ronald McDonald House New York Music for Hope Award, the 2016 Audelco Award for best musical for "Tappin' Thru Life," and the 2014 Ovation Award for best music direction for "Tappin' Thru Life." She was also awarded the 2009 Mary Lou Williams-Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award, a 2013 U.S. Department of State grant for FIVE PLAY to tour Vietnam, an Arts International tour grant, The Kennedy Center Alliance Award for Outstanding Achievements in the Arts, a Meet the Composer grant, a doctoral fellowship from New York University, the New York City Music Educator's Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education, and was twice named New York University's "Music Teacher of the Year."
As an educator, Maricle operates a private drum set and percussion studio. She is an active clinician for Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads and Vic Firth Drumsticks. Coast-to-coast, she serves as a guest conductor, soloist and adjudicator for collegiate and high school jazz festivals. Fifteen years ago, Maricle created and remains the music director for "Musical Magic," a hospital outreach program for Ronald McDonald House New York.
Maricle graduated from Union-Endicott High School in Endicott, New York, in 1981. She earned a bachelor's degree from Binghamton University in 1985 before moving to New York City to attend New York University, where she completed a master's degree in jazz performance in 1986 and a doctorate in jazz performance/composition in 2000.
Her recent recordings include "The DIVA Jazz Orchestra – Tappin' Thru Life" (2025), "The DIVA Jazz Orchestra 30" (2023), "The 3D Jazz Trio 9 to 5" (2022), "Christmas in 3D" (2020), "I Love to See You Smile" (2020), "DIVA and the Boys" (2019, MCG Jazz) and "FIVE PLAY 'LIVE' at The Firehouse Stage" (2019).
When not immersed in her music, Maricle enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors with her two rescue cats, Goofy and Blue, and her rescue dog, Finnegan, an Australian terrier. Maricle and her partner live in a converted Dairy Barn in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and she enjoys swing dancing.
