Interview: Mark Guiliana on Jim Black

One master remembers the impact of another at a formative time.

Mark Guiliana photo by Eddy Westveer; Jim Black photo by Paul LaRaia

Background: I was lucky to be at William Paterson University with Mark Guiliana; we were both studying with John Riley and went to a lot of shows together. 

Mark graciously made some time for me for an interview centered around his memories and impressions of Jim Black in the early 2000s; I think Mark’s detailed and perceptive observations about Jim’s music illuminate all the points I’m trying to get across in my essay, coming soon. 

Thank you Mark!

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Mark Guiliana on Jim Black

Phone Interview on January 28, 2023

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VS: Do you remember the first time you heard Jim live? 

MG: I was trying to remember if we were there together…. I don’t think that was your first time hearing Jim. 

VS: If you’re thinking of the show I’m thinking of, no, it wasn’t….. 

MG: My memory is……Tonic. [VS— this is the show I was thinking of.] 

It was the Tiny Bell Trio— Dave Douglas, Brad Shepik, and Jim. I remember going to the second show. First show was full.