Mark Guiliana

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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.“ ...a great new band, whose debut, Locked in a Basement, reveals a sonic concept unlike anyone’s.” -All About Jazz

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 enjoys cheesesteaks. For more information, please visit: www.markguiliana.com.

HEERNT

Mark Guiliana - drums, electronics Neal Persiani - electric bass, sampler Zac Colwell - saxophone, juno-60

“...a slick, burnin’ electrofunk trio” -Time Out New York

HEERNT is a band moved by art, motivated by adventure, and defined only by its gravity toward important music. Combining the most powerful elements of jazz, indie rock, and electronic music, HEERNT has loosely coined its sound "experimental garage jazz", yet these words breathe separate meanings. Experimental references the onstage tv, dual samplers, and original art installations that spout film, words and images unique to each song. Garage pays tribute to the homespun spirit in which the music is conceived, and the rock and roll abandon in which it is performed. Jazz simply means that improvisation is ever-present, and that spontaneity is paramount. HEERNT's fresh approach to song writing is as unique as it is endearing, exuding both an unrivaled energy and a strong power of story. Perhaps the New York band's finest quality is it's dedication to the balance between chaos and order, or dirty and clean. Such a focus ensures that both the rebel and the nerd will be moved by HEERNT's artistic, adventurous, and important music. For more information, please visit: www.heernt.com or www.mypsace.com/heernt.