Conversations with Mariano Longo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariano Longo.

Hi Mariano, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Mariano Longo grew up in NE Ohio and worked locally in the in the music business before moving to Las Vegas for a 30+ year career as a Pianist / Arranger / Conductor. He worked with many of the national touring artists appearing in showrooms and concert stages in Las Vegas and on their tours worldwide. Mariano still tours as pianist for entertainment Icon Wayne Newton, and also is busy in the symphony /pops genre – acting as producer and guest conductor for regional symphonies across the US.

DownBeat Musical Arts Centre (DBMAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 by Mariano Longo, a 50

After decades in major music markets, Mariano returned to his home region with a mission: to enrich the musical arts in the Mahoning Valley by providing mentoring and networking for aspiring local talent; – connecting qualified local artists with established industry professionals who hire musicians for gigs, studio sessions, and touring work.

To that end, Mariano founded DownBeat Musical Arts Centre in Warren Ohio in late 2021. (DBMAC) is a a professional music rehearsal facility; offering fully equipped rehearsal studios, live performance video streaming, musical production, music mentoring, lessons & clinics.

We are a 501c-3 Non Profit corp. with a mission to provide Northeastern Ohio and Western PA with an artistic network: connecting aspiring and professional musicians with project development and mentoring.

We intend to enrich the musical arts in the region and provide artistic growth and employment opportunities in Trumbull & Mahoning counties in Ohio, and Mercer County in PA.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to fullfill our mission is quite interesting. We have had a hand full of amazing success stories helping musicians who actually want to move into music as a serious career. Because of the 50+ years I spent in the industry, I have many legitimate music industry contacts who acrtually hire and employ musicians and technicians into real careers in the entertainment industry.

The challenge is to find and qualify the talents who actually have the skills and motivation to “walk through the door” we can open for them. Everone wants to play music; but the work, discipline and committment necessary to get to career level is not for the timid. I equate it to pro sports. – Everyone wants to play in High School, few make it to the College level and only a select few to the pros. Most of the time it boils down to desire and discipline, and we live in an immediate gratification age where many give up before realizing any potential.

That is the struggle. Who will walk through the door and confront what it really takes to go pro.?

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Mariano has over 50 years of experience in music performance, production, recording, arranging, conducting, concert promotion, logistics, touring, artist promotion and management. He has a thorough understanding of many facets of the music industry and has worked with artists and industry people of all ages and backgrounds throughout his career.

“As a music producer and conductor, I routinely communicate across ethnic, racial and cultural barriers. I have managed to travel the world working with national level recording artists and arrange and conduct for symphony orchestras.” “I understand the “Life Cycle” of musical artists – from entry level through retirement. DBMAC is designed to service musicians at all points along their journey. “I am a member in good standing of the A.F.M. – American Federation of Musicians Local 369 in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as a member in good standing of ASMAC – The American Society of Musical Arrangers and Composers.” Mariano is also the owner of “Orchestral Events, LLC” www.orchestralevents.com – a company that provides orchestral pops programming to symphony orchestras across North America.

Most recently, I have been guest conductor for The Knoxville, Indianapolis, and Long Beach Symphony orchestras. That is truly a challenge and also very gratifying to walk in and work with musicians who are at that level.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
As the years pass I try to get smaller in the big production picture. I try to observe and listen first, and then add something positive if possible. I’ve learned there are young people out there who can lead us to a better outcome in all artistic things. They are facing considerable obstacles to acheiving their potential. Our role as experienced artists should be to lift them up and assist them if they are ready to accept our input.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.downbeatmusicalartscentre.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=downbeat%20musical%20arts%20centre