“American music is like a river that runs through the soul of the nation, carrying the stories and emotions of its people.” – Yo-Yo Ma
In the heart of current American rock and roll, one name reverberates louder than most – Mark Duda. With a musical journey as extraordinary as his heartfelt songs, Duda has left an indelible mark on New York’s vibrant music scene. Born on March 1, 1971, in Madison, WI, to Walter Frank Duda and Tresa Ann Duda, his passion for music soared to unparalleled heights, captivating audiences with emotive lyrics and powerful melodies.
Duda began his rock and roll journey like so many others – as a member of a punk rock band cutting his chops in garages and basements. Having graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree, Duda’s destiny led him to embrace his true calling – music. Throughout the 1990s, Duda continued his musical odyssey, fronting various bands like Billy Goats Gruff, Vehicle, and American Fly, enthralling fans at iconic New York venues like CBGB, Continental Divide, The Bitter End, and the Knitting Factory.
The early 2000s witnessed Duda’s artistic brilliance collaborating with the local band, The Handful, resulting in several successful albums and electrifying performances. However, it was in 2017, after The Handful’s album “Sons of Downtown,” that he took a leap of faith into a solo career. His debut solo effort, “Month of Sundays,” showcased exceptional talent backed by a band of virtuosos including Kenny Aaronson, Thommy Price, and Jimmi K. Bones. The album garnered critical acclaim, solidifying Duda’s position as a prominent songwriter and vocalist in the New York City rock and roll tapestry.
“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” – Pablo Casals
“The history of American music is far too rich and diverse to be contained in one genre.” – Carlos Santana
Mark Duda’s symphonic journey knew no bounds, and “Bodega Flowers, released in 2022, was the crescendo that resonated across the musical landscape. Produced by the talented Jimmi K. Bones, the album soared to the top of Amazon’s New Indie Rock Chart, swiftly selling out its first pressing. Collaborating with renowned artists like Kasim Sulton, Thommy Price, Jimmi K. Bones, and Arno Hecht, Duda unleashed a redemptive rock and roll force in the industry.
The winter of 2023 witnessed Duda embarking on his latest project, recording the highly anticipated follow-up to “Bodega Flowers” at the prestigious Jones Bones Studios in New York City. Throughout his career, Duda has had the privilege of collaborating with world-class professionals, including the two-time Grammy nominee, Kostadin Kamcev, who served as the recording and mastering engineer for “Bodega Flowers.”
Beyond the stage, Mark Duda embraces another spotlight as the co-host of the popular television program “Clubb Tracks” on Zingo TV, a Fox Network property. The show features insightful interviews and electrifying performances from artists of diverse genres, showcasing Duda’s engaging and charismatic hosting style.
Amidst all his achievements, Duda finds joy and fulfillment in his role as a devoted husband to his wife Rebecca, whom he married in 1999, and a caring father to their two children, Timothy Walter and Audrey Elaine. Both on and off the stage, Mark Duda continues to create rock reverberations in New York City’s downtown music scene and beyond, crafting relatable thinking-man’s rock and roll, and delivering captivating performances that strike a chord with audiences worldwide. His unstoppable rhythm predicts that his legacy will linger, claiming a place in the heart of American music.