Our London drum students were in the presence of musical greatness when one of the world's most exciting drummers, Mark Guiliana, visited ICMP for a masterclass.
From his acclaimed solo releases including latest album ‘Jersey’ to playing on David Bowie’s final LP ‘Blackstar’, he is revered for his creativity and experimental, emotional approach to the drums.
Music Radar named Mark as one of the best jazz drummers in the world at the end of 2017, illustrating the regard in which his talent is held.
So we were delighted to host an exclusive masterclass with Mark on his recent UK tour. Mark treated a packed room of students to insight around his music career, advice on how to approach their instrument and tips on the best ways to be creative.
During the class, he told students:
I love music and I love improvising - that’s really what gets me out of bed, the idea of creating something from nothing, trying to make an interesting artistic statement.”
He also discussed the role of the drummer and how a musician needs to know when it’s appropriate to be creative or play in a certain style.
"When I was younger I used to try and squeeze my ideas into whatever I was playing. But sometimes it’s not appropriate to do that in that moment. So instead, I created new environments where I could say those things. I have an electronic project called Beat Music, acoustic projects, a jazz quartet. I know if I’m inspired to make a statement, then I can go to one of these outlets to satisfy my creativity."
In our video interview, we quizzed Mark about his passion for the drums, the role of the drummer and how he got the gig playing with the late David Bowie.
Visit markguiliana.com for more information on Mark and his musical projects.
Study drums at ICMP
If you’re a drummer looking to take your playing and performing to the next level, then why not join us here at ICMP? Find out more about the success of our drums faculty.
Our Admissions Team are on hand to help you, call them on 020 7328 0222 or email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk.