The younger brother of clarinetist Joe Marsala, Marty was a decent journeyman trumpeter who was at his best when freewheeling Dixieland-oriented settings. He started out as a drummer, playing in Chicago with groups led by Red Feilen and Joe Bananas. Marsala switched to trumpet in the late 1920s. Although he gigged steadily, Marsala was virtually unknown until 1936, when he moved to New York and recorded with his brother. He was with Will Hudson's Orchestra for a short time in 1937 but mostly played with Joe's band (which also featured Adele Girard on harp) until 1941. Marty led his own group at Nick's, was with Chico Marx's band (1942-43), served in the Army (1944-45) and then rejoined Joe for a short time in 1945. In addition to playing with Miff Mole and Tony Parenti, Marsala headed his own combos. He moved to San Francisco in the mid-'50s and gigged with Kid Ory (and more extensively with Earl Hines). From the late 1950s on he was less active due to erratic health, although he played off and on until retiring in 1965. Marty recorded with Joe (1937-41 and 1945), Tempo King (1936-37), Bob Howard (1937), Eddie Condon, Kid Ory and Earl Hines, among others, but never had a chance to lead a session of his own. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi