Mark Weliky was born in Boynton Beach, Florida on February 1st, 1984. Mark's fascination with music was evident early on, as he was constantly toying around on his mother's piano and even making instruments himself. At the age of 11, Mark picked up the guitar and later began studying with renowned South Florida guitarist Charles Carey, who introduced him to jazz. From there on he went to study Jazz at Florida Atlantic University, studying with guitar guru Tom Floyd. At this stage of his development Mark became frustrated with the local music scene in South Florida and packed his bags for the greener musical pastures of New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately, his move came two weeks before Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans, causing him to move back to Florida. Mark came back one year later to study at the University of New Orleans, accepting their prestigious Basin Street Scholarship. It was at UNO that Mark studied with internationally recognized jazz artist Steve Masakowski (Astral Project, Diane Reeves, Dave Liebman) and also met the members of his trio; rising star drummer Paul Thibodeaux (Big Rock Candy Mountain, Magnetic Ear, Ed Petersen) and also Steve Masakowski's own son, Martin Masakowski on acoustic bass. Upon graduating from UNO in 2008, Mark formed his trio and began playing weekly gigs at Marigny coffee shop The Orange Couch. After six months of playing there and other venues, Mark brought his band into the studio to create his debut self-titled album, "The Mark Weliky Trio", featuring twelve tracks of original music with two jazz standards and a series of interludes, preludes and postludes tying the whole album together. This album also features special guests Sasha Masakowski on vocals and Jesse Morrow on bass, each lending their talents to one track each. Besides playing with his trio, Mark is an active performer in the New Orleans music scene. Mark is the co-creator of the jazz guitar/vocals duo, Sasha Masakowski/Mark Weliky Duo, is often playing with hip-hop artist Slangston Hughes and Fo on the Flo, is part of the gypsy jazz quartet The Courtyard Kings, is the lead voice of local drummer Charles Brewer's trio, and can also be found playing with Sasha Masakowski's Musical Playground as well. Mark has played at many premier music venues in New Orleans such as Snug Harbor, Bacchanal, DBA, The Spotted Cat, Dragon's Den, Dos Jefes, Balcony Music Club, Blue Nile, The Renaissance Pere Marquette, The Old Point Bar, and many more.
See what other people are saying about Mark Weliky and his trio:
"Mark's music is electrifying!"
-Steve Masakowski (Astral Project, Diane Reeves)
"The Mark Weliky Trio is a joy to watch and hear"
-Edward Petersen (New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, University of New Orleans Jazz Studies chair)
"Young guitarist Mark Weliky has assembled a group of similarly talented jazz musicians to present well executed original tracks as well as a couple of jazz standards. It's perfect for the "after" events in life-after work, after a good meal, after a Saints win, or after that special time with someone close. "
-Charles "Charlie B" Burchell, jazz show host, WWOZ-FM, New Orleans
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