|
||
Mariano Medina
Mariano got his professional start at an early age by subbing for his father in Philly-area bands. By the time he was barely in his teens, he knew that he wanted to pursue music and drumming as a career. Recently. Mariano brought his percussion talent to the CoverBand 2011 contest. His two-minute video entry demonstrated tremendous technical ability on congas, and his conga solo had great feel and musicality. It’s enough to impress the contest judges and earn him a spot in CoverBand 2011—a seven-piece group made up of contest winners from across the country. Part of the CoverBand 2011 contest prize was a trip to California to perform at NAMM in Anaheim, California. The “band” met for the first time the day before the concert, and had just a few hours to rehearse a one-hour show. According to Mariano, the band wasn’t daunted by that challenge. “It was funny,” he says. “Sometimes people can be great soloists, but when it comes time to play music with other people, it isn’t happening. But when we got together, things went very smoothly. “It was really cool,” Mariano continues. “Everybody knew what they were doing. Richie Gajate Garcia was the musical director, and gave a few suggestions regarding dynamics and ways to make things a little more musical. But other than that all the musicians were well-rounded and skilled.” Shortly after the CoverBand 2011 concert, Mariano was invited to become a Toca Percussion artist. “Pablo Batista introduced me to Toca Artist Relations Director, Steve Nigohosian,” says Mariano, “Steve suggested that I come on board. That was great with me, because I really like Toca instruments.” Mariano’s immediate plan is to enter the new percussion-instruction track at the prestigious University of the Arts in Philadelphia. “My CoverBand entry has served as an audition tape,” he says. Even while he’s going to school, Mariano’s looking forward to expanding his professional experience. He plays with several bands in New York City, where he shares the stage with well-known percussionists who’ve toured with name artists. “I’m getting ‘networked’ a bit,” he says. “So I’m waiting for that one call that might put me on tour.” Whenever that call comes, you can be sure that Mariano Medina will be ready to make a major percussive contribution. < Back to the Toca Artists Main Menu
|
Twenty-year-old Mariano Medina was born and resides in Trenton, New Jersey. His Puerto Rican-born father plays congas and bongos, and Mariano gravitated toward the drums at the age of three. By seven, he was working on rhythms that his father brought home from lessons with percussion great