Wayne Corelli was born in New Jersey and grew up in the Atlantic City / Philadelphia metropolitan area. His father was his first music teacher, and his older brother was also a musician and listened to jazz regularly. It was this early exposure to jazz that laid the foundation for what would become a lifelong passion to be a performer of mainstream jazz. “During my youth, South Jersey was a great place to be. There were many world class musicians living and playing in the area offering the ultimate setting in which to learn.” After high school he attended Berklee College of Music for two years. While at Berklee he performed in local clubs with fellow Berklee students Joe Lovano and George Garzone.

Returning to New Jersey he eventually began studying privately with pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and producer Bobby Scott. Introduced in his early teens to the musical genius of Bobby Scott (by way of jazz radio station WHAT 96.5 FM) he would eventually meet Bobby Scott through a mutual friend, Manny Albam. Bobby Scott became a mentor, close friend and major influence. Other performers he considered mentors and with whom he developed close friendships were Frank D'Rone and Shirley Horn.