b. Sharon L. Maricle, 2 September 1963, Buffalo, New York, USA. Although she started out playing cello, Maricle soon turned to drums. She studied at SUNY-Binghamton and at New York University and also privately with drummers Mel Lewis, Adam Nussbaum and Jeff Hamilton. Her musical studies also extended to composition and music theory and other tutors included Bob Brookmeyer. Her first professional engagement came when she was still only 16, and by the time she was 20 she was working with artists of the stature of Slam Stewart. During the mid-80s Maricle worked with several bands, mostly on the east coast, including those led by Bucky Pizzarelli, Peter Appleyard and Sonny Costanzo. In the early 90s, she played with Jimmy Heath, Al Grey, Clark Terry, Bill Mays and Lionel Hampton. Her extensive training also allowed her to play in other forms of music and she has played percussion with classical orchestras and theatrical pit bands. Also during the mid-80s, she returned to SUNY-Binghamton as a teacher before moving to NYU. She has led several small bands and was one of the founders of the all-female big band, DIVA. Inspired by Buddy Rich, Maricle plays with subtly swinging flair although when so required she is well able to boot a band along with explosive power. She has composed music in all the forms in which she is skilled.