
V l a d e G u i g n i
B i o g r a p h y
Vlade Guigni began his professional drumming career in 2003 at the age of 18, back in the Dominican Republic, where he is originally from. He has worked and collaborated with an extensive list of artists from the jazz, gospel, fusion and studio music scene from his native country, and the international scene. The list includes Latin Grammy® award winner Danilo Montero, Multi-Grammy® nominated artists Dave Liebman, Gerald Clayton, Anat Cohen, Tia Fuller and Darcy James Argue, Latin Grammy® nominated singers Lilly Goodman, EliaCiM and many other great artists like George Garzone, David Gilmore and Leo Blanco, just to name a few.
In 2012 while having a busy year co-leading 2 jazz projects in the DR, “Legacy Trio” and “Mettro-Jazz”, persuaded by many of his colleagues, he took in an international opportunity to expand his knowledge. At the age of 27, recommended by world class Multi-Grammy® award winner Michel Camilo he received an incredible scholarship for the prestigious Berklee College of Music, then he took a pause on his career and moved to Boston Massachusetts. Vlade took lessons with world-renowned musicians such as Terri Lyne Carrington, Neal Smith, Ralph Peterson Jr, Henrique De Almeida, Ian Froman, Billy Kilson, Ed Tomassi, Tia Fuller, Greg Hopkins, Prince Charles Alexander and many others.
While at Berklee, Vlade was accepted into the Berklee Global Jazz Institute, an organization that is composed of top jazz musicians in the world. Faculty includes Marco Pignataro, Danilo Perez, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Ben Street, Adam Cruz, among others. The Global Jazz Institute focuses on using the music as a tool for social change. Global travels around the world playing and contributing in several jazz festivals.
In 2015 Guigni was part of a huge international educational project lead by world class producer Latin Grammy® award winner Enrique Gonzalez Müller. This was Berklee Online first MOOC completely in Spanish, available for free. So far the course has enrolled more than 12,000 students around the world and it has been running for almost 4 years. Vlade is featured through the whole course as a player in all the examples and also he takes part offering his opinion during the conversation topics of this course.
Vlade Guigni performed with headliners Anat Cohen and George Garzone in the 2017 Dominican Republic Jazz Festival.
Vlade earned world class academic credentials, a bachelor's degree in Music Production and Engineering, a master's degree in Contemporary Performance (Global Jazz Concentration) and a post-master’s fellowship certification, all from Berklee College of Music.
In 2020 Vlade released a solo album called "Elevation", displaying different musical influences within the context of contemporary jazz and improvisation.
In 2021, He was asked to join the educational staff of his alma mater Berklee College of Music as Professional Accompanist and Summer Programs Faculty.
He has gained online presence on social media doing several collaborations with the drum companies he endorses and also putting out his own content which has led him to perform clinics and masterclasses around the USA and the international scene.
Currently, in addition to performing with several artists and entertainment companies in the greater New England area, He's writing new music and working on a second album as a leader, featuring his new band "LandMarks".
Vlade is also CEO and co-founder of "Selah Music Studio", a musical space that offers in person music lessons and professional recording studio services, located in the North Shore of Massachusetts.
When time allows, he takes on a limited number of private online students each year for drum lessons. His teaching approach and philosophy are centered on providing students with tangible tools to develop a stronger overall command of the drums, and more importantly, the skills and knowledge needed to become successful working musicians in today’s music industry.
Vlade Endorses Yamaha Drums and Hardware, Meinl Cymbals/Sticks and Percussion, Evans Drumheads, sE Electronics Microphones, Earthworks Microphones, Antelope Audio, Warm Audio, QSC Audio, SlapKlatz Drum Gel Dampeners, Dynamic Beaters, Ahead Armor Cases, Big Fat Snare Drum, TNR Products, CRS Cymbal Resonance System and KBrakes.