Mark Guiliana’s Beat Music @ Rockwood

Mark Guiliana's Beat Music @ Rockwood

It has been a while since I last heard Mark Guiliana’s Beat Music (formerly known as Mark Guiliana’s Thing). This time it was with Jason Lindner on keyboards, Stephen Wall on all kinds of innovative and traditional instruments and gadgets, and Chris Morrissey on bass. It was really packed in Rockwood (I hope everybody tipped well as there was no admission). I was really lucky to get a seat upstairs, high enough to notice the words of wisdom “Play less” written on Mark Guiliana’s snare drum :) I guess actually this straightforward approach is the big charm of this music: in this uncluttered and seemingly simple groove (not so many fancy time signatures) there is so much inner movement and textures that the space in it is actually the thing that becomes irresistibly addictive…

Musically, I think the project has evolved quite a bit since I last saw them: it’s more thought out although by no means lacking improvisation and spontaneity, still. As a proof to that, vocalist Jeff Taylor (in whose band Mark Guiliana and Stephen Wall play as well) got on stage for a few tunes for even more musical energy.

Mark Guiliana's Beat Music featuring Jeff Taylor

For my heart’s content, they even played the classic Heernt tune Locked in a Basement :D

The only that I feel a little restless about is that, as I’ve heard Mark Guiliana so many times in the past, I wonder if it’s just the grass having been greener or his drumming actually used to be a bit more graceful and subtle those days. Of course, the Rockwood sound doesn’t seem to support such qualities anyway: I would actually be really worried of my hearing if I’d frequent the place a bit more.

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Jason Lindner’s Now vs Now album release party @ Drom

Now vs Now @ Drom

One of my favorite bands… :D Jason Lindner (keys), Panagiotis Andreou (bass, vocals) and Mark Guiliana (drums). I was so excited about the album release party – Now vs Now  with guests such as Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Anat Cohen (tenor), John Beaty (alto),  Jeff Taylor (vocals). And a string quartet.

There is something really special about this band – they actually sound hip in a really optimistic, energetic, fresh way – somehow giving a feeling that the good times are coming now…

Atmosphere @ the release was great. Lots of people, digging on the music. I wasn’t that much into the opening act though – Brazz Tree. But Now vs Now show was great – I’m loving the music and the band and the concept. The videoscreen and all those guest artists were amazing. But i’ve gotten a little spoiled hearing them at those small intimate places like Rose and Rockwood – I think there the live energy can get to be even more up.

As one of those Facebook people who actually reads the event listings (sometimes), I noticed that First 3 people to name the rapper on our CD get a free one. Whisper it to the person at the merch table. Well I was definitely the first one to go for that. Answer, of course, being Baba Israel ;)

Now I’m listening to the CD – has Meshell Ndegeocello and Kurt Rosenwinkel on it, among others! I’m loving the rapper as well… :D

Jason Lindner's Now vs Now album release party @ Drom

Now vs Now @ Drom

One of my favorite bands… :D Jason Lindner (keys), Panagiotis Andreou (bass, vocals) and Mark Guiliana (drums). I was so excited about the album release party – Now vs Now  with guests such as Avishai Cohen (trumpet), Anat Cohen (tenor), John Beaty (alto),  Jeff Taylor (vocals). And a string quartet.

There is something really special about this band – they actually sound hip in a really optimistic, energetic, fresh way – somehow giving a feeling that the good times are coming now…

Atmosphere @ the release was great. Lots of people, digging on the music. I wasn’t that much into the opening act though – Brazz Tree. But Now vs Now show was great – I’m loving the music and the band and the concept. The videoscreen and all those guest artists were amazing. But i’ve gotten a little spoiled hearing them at those small intimate places like Rose and Rockwood – I think there the live energy can get to be even more up.

As one of those Facebook people who actually reads the event listings (sometimes), I noticed that First 3 people to name the rapper on our CD get a free one. Whisper it to the person at the merch table. Well I was definitely the first one to go for that. Answer, of course, being Baba Israel ;)

Now I’m listening to the CD – has Meshell Ndegeocello and Kurt Rosenwinkel on it, among others! I’m loving the rapper as well… :D

Skinny Fridays & Jeff Taylor Group @ Rockwood

Skinny Fridays

Had a really authentic Lower East Side night – first got a few free drinks from the SKINnY bar & lounge (174 Orchard St) while they were having another open bar event –  just a block from Rockwood . Never really been hanging out in one of those places for the real American young people crowd in the Lower East Side :D Was a great spot for people-watching. I enjoyed it a lot. They even had go-go dancers and all.

Jeff Taylor Group @ Rockwood

&Rockwood @ midnight – Jeff Taylor Group. The reason I went there was Mark Guiliana on the drums :D Was amazing. Especially as a live show –  on a CD the music would be too indie rock for me, I think. (they were selling CDs for $5 too- the song It Swell on it really sounds like a hit ;) with really bold lyrics if i get it right… and Blue Bucket is kind of funny- has the melody from I Hear a Rhapsody used in the bridge :)).  I was thinking if rock was always that good, maybe I wouldn’t even listen to jazz. But the secret of the band is Mark Guiliana on the drums, I think. Mike Severson played the bass and then there was Steve Wall, I believe –  guy who did backing vocals, keyboard, effects, killer funky rhythm guitar. Jeff Taylor on vocals and guitar (and some piano) seems to be one of those multi-talented ones. Rockwood was packed – and everybody I talked to were fans of either Jeff Taylor or Mark Guiliana. I don’t see why would anybody even want to go for those over-hyped rockstar groups when there is stuff like that, GREAT musicians playing such rocking super funky shows in authentic places – for no cover. Yeah, but I guess to find things like that is the privilege of being in New York.