Mariano Maluf

Visual and Performing Arts

Online design

An Internet Web Portal focused on Córdoba’s diverse and less-known musical scene.

In an attempt to gain trenches-quality experience in online digital design, I conceptualized, designed, coded & produced original content for this Music & Community-oriented Web Portal (ca. late 1990s, hence the look & feel). The site blended discography reviews, band information, concert announcements and exclusive interviews with musicians across genres like jazz, fusion, rock, pop and folklore, among others.

This work received an Award from the top local Newspaper (La Voz del Interior), as well as a content acquisition offer (which I did not entertain). Connecting with amazing artists and discovering obscure material and formations was very rewarding, and ultimately, the original content I compiled and created went on to populate multiple other sites that are still around today. It is my hope that this played a little part in sharing and amplifying the local musical, artistic and cultural richness and legacy in the community.

Singing

Throughout the years, I have taken lessons on Guitar, Piano and Saxophone, but I am not a good instrumentalist (yet :). Instead, I have found out that hand percussion and my vocal instrument are much more intuitive vehicles for me, when it comes to musical expression.

As a result, I am a self-taught hand-percussionist, still in training. I also went on to record some covers, and took lessons to learn the basics of vocalization techniques, also exploring Bel Canto briefly.

I explored songwriting as well, and worked with Grammy-nominated Producer Gustavo Arenas (Arena Fina Enterprises), who arranged two of my original songs, which I recorded in his studio. (Angel and Algo de Ti)

Another collaboration with Producer David Abundiz yielded a version of one of my songs (La vida se me va), with a Mexican Banda-style arrangement, and recorded by HijosD.

I also linked up with fellow music and singing enthusiasts over the years, and went on to perform live with them in a few places. Even with that much more on-stage experience, they were very generous and gracious with their talent and their patience, and I was fortunate to learn a lot from them; we did have good fun together for some time. Either with them or on my own, I was able to perform live for some special events in the Atlanta area (Sacred Heart International Festival, Santo Domingo Restaurant, Sweet Devil Moon, Rock Star Saloon, La Casa del Bohemio, Café La Vaca, etc).

Despite all my limitations, this first-hand experience gave me a profound appreciation for what it really takes for artists to create and perform, and I have grown to have the utmost respect for professionals in this field.

Also had the chance to MC & co-host the 7th Georgia Hispanic Choirs Festival in Alpharetta, GA, where I met who is today one of my best friends. Music unites and saves in many ways!

Drawing

Lifelong learning also applies to multiple forms of art, so I took some drawing classes (Continuing Education in campus and online) to figure out drawing and ink pen illustration, as it has always been an interest of mine to explore. (samples coming hopefully soon)

Acting

Also explored Voice-Over acting, and went on to audition for the role of Guido Contini in “Nine”, a Musical Theater play adaptation based on Federico Fellini’s famous film “Otto e Mezzo”. (however, what I was able to put forth as preparation was not nearly enough to get selected; they made the right call :)