Mark Guiliana

According to Modern Drummer magazine, Mark Guiliana “may well be at the forefront of an exciting new style of drumming.” The 26-year-old New Jersey native’s unique and un-compromised approach to playing the drums has earned him international acclaim both as a leader and a sideman. Mark discovered his passion and natural talent for drumming at age 15 when he began studying with the great Joe Bergamini. After spending his high school years getting involved in every musical environment he could find, ranging from local rock bands to big band swing, he decided to attend William Paterson University in New Jersey as a Jazz Studies major. This time provided Mark with the chance to study under jazz greats John Riley and Kevin Norton and be surrounded by inspiring and diverse music. It was at WPU where Mark began to find his own voice both as a drummer and a composer. As an outlet for his compositions, Mark created HEERNT, his ‘experimental-garage-jazz’ trio based out of New York. The band’s debut record, Locked In A Basement, was released in the spring of 2006 and was met with praise from critics and musicians alike. Legendary drummer Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson) called the record “the most exuberant, dramatic, beautiful, sassy, genre-busting little outing that I've heard since I don't know when. Quite the most brilliant record you're going to hear for the foreseeable future, so I recommend immediate purchase. For drummers, its simply compulsory.” HEERNT remains Mark’s main source of creative energy and is busy playing around the New York area in support of the record. Mark’s most notable sideman work has come alongside world-renowned jazz bassist Avishai Cohen (of Chick Corea’s Origin and New Trio). Mark has been a member of Avishai’s band since 2003 and has appeared on Avishai’s last three studio albums and the soon to be released Live at the Blue Note , which will appear not only as a live record but also as a DVD. The band has performed at some of the world’s most important stages including the Blue Note Jazz Club in both New York and Tokyo, the Joy of Jazz Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, the Jerusalem Theater in Israel, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Ronnie Scott’s in London, and many more. Mark has also recorded and/or performed with the Jazz Mandolin Project, Bobby McFerrin, Jason Lindner, Branford Marsalis, and James Williams.Mark proudly uses Sabian cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks.Feature Article - DRUMMER Magazine (UK) - January 2005Update - Modern Drummer Magazine - November 2005 _Jason Lindner's NOW vs. NOW Live in the WBGO Studio 01.03.08