Further Reading
17th July 2024
As his first full-length solo recording is released, we retrace the steps that led the Grammy-nominated drummer and percussionist to his current chameleonic glory.
“MARK” is the new solo record from acclaimed drummer and composer Mark Guiliana: an auditory manifestation of one of the world’s most creative and innovative musical minds.
Ever since the first day he picked up a pair of drumsticks, Mark Guiliana has been instinctively exploring and absorbing the music and rhythms that have been ever-present in his life. Fast forward to the present day and he has earned a formidable reputation as a world-class drummer, composer and thinker at the forefront of contemporary jazz and beyond. Guiliana’s artistry defies convention, weaving together a musical output beyond jazz with the ultimate goal of creating compelling musical narratives. His songs serve as a conduit for his relentless quest for creativity, striving to share his sonic visions with the world in their most unadulterated form.
Guiliana’s new album “MARK”, represents an introspective voyage into his creative depths. On the record, Mark performs solo on a wide array of devices; you can hear his quintessential grooves intermixed with intriguing percussive soundscapes, sublime tapestries of synthesisers and fragments of spoken word. “MARK” is an album that peels back the layers of Guiliana’s experiences, reflections, and the wisdom gleaned from a life immersed in music. It transcends genres and defies categorisation, floating in the boundless space of pure expression. Through music and through life, Mark looks into the mirror and asks eternal questions of identity and growth: who am I, where am I going and what do I stand for?
This album invites listeners to share in Mark’s personal dialogue, offering a sanctuary where they can begin to untangle and examine themselves track by track. “MARK” is an exploration of new and uplifting musical territory, unrestricted by norms and free from preconceived ideas or satisfying (but ultimately unfulfilling) genre expectations. It embodies the impact of Guiliana’s journey, marking his evolution as an artist. This record echoes the spirit of freedom, the courage of inquiry, and the beauty of unfettered expression.
Mark Guiliana - drums, cymbals, percussion, piano, vibraphone, marimba, celeste, pump organ, mellotron, jupiter 8, electronics, drum programming, spoken word
