Brian

Born in 1957, Brian Pastoria grew as part of a musical family in East Detroit, a city known for its gritty rock ‘n’ roll. At the age of 13, after playing piano for 4 years, he got his first set of drums and proceeded to learn his trade, playing to records ranging from early Motown, Beatles and Rolling Stones to Chicago, Aerosmith, J. Geils, Grand Funk and Led Zeppelin. His drumming style developed into a thoughtful blend of driving rock ‘n’ roll and Motown soul.

From 1977 to 1993, Pastoria became a founding member of the Detroit band’s Adrenalin and DC Drive. While sharing stages with bands such as Aerosmith and Bob Seger, Brian & his brother Mark co-wrote the song “Road of the Gypsy” which was featured in the Motion Picture and soundtrack “Iron Eagle”. Both Adrenalin & DC Drive established a reputation as one of the most exciting and hard working American rock bands.

Brian cites some of his main influences as Motown’s Benny Benjamin, Danny Seraphine, John Bonham, Charlie Allen Martin, Charlie Watts, Al Jackson Jr., Johnny “Bee” Badanjek, Bernard Purdie, Don Brewer, Joey Kramer, Stephen Jo Bladd and Max Weinberg.

“I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to play and tour with so many people who inspired me. I learned to play drums by listening to my favorite songs and bands, and I’m grateful to have them as teachers.”

“I always felt that so much of life was about the rhythm and groove. Playing drums with so many great people and being part of the drumming community has made a few dreams come true for me…I would recommend it to anyone!”

Brian was featured in the Sept '85 of issue of Modern Drummer and Most recently he was featured in Jules Follett's much talked about book of Drummers called "Sticks N Skins".

While amassing his wide range of performing experiences, Pastoria's intuitive grasp of music commerce led him to the business side of the advertising world and music production. Pastoria's teacher's are some of the biggest names in the recording industry, such as legendary former Motown Records musical director Maurice King and fabled Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler and Grammy award winning producer Vini Poncia.

Brian and his brother Mark Pastoria found a smooth transition from recording and performing to producing, creating & recording music for artists like Aretha Franklin, Dave Mason, Mark Farner (Grand Funk), The Four Tops, Alto Reed, Kirk Franklin, P Diddy, Will IAM (Black Eyed Peas) Karen Clark, Paul Hill, D-12, & others. At the same time creating advertising campaigns for clients like Birmingham Chrysler Jeep, Pizza Hut, Rinke Toyota, and the MotorCity Casino. They have also written hit commercials for Detroit Edison, KFC, Pizza Hut, The City of Detroit, McDonalds, Buick, Metro Airport, The Wellness Plan, The Detroit Red Wings and Tigers, a whole list of car dealers.

Their combined experience in production, and their recording and production facility in Harmonie Park, has been producing hit commercials over the airwaves in Detroit since the early 90’s. Brian & his Brother Mark & Team have recently launched their new initiative...UDetroit & The UDetroit Cafe. Under one roof is the Harmonie Park Media Group...Connecting Culture Through Music

Brian is married with 3 boys.
Favorite Quotations Imagination is more important than knowledge.

There is only one success--to be able to spend your life in your own way.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.

Education and Work

Employers
Harmonie Park 1996 to present
Partner Detroit, Michigan
Music Production, Advertising & Marketing
Adrenalin & DC Drive Drummer 1977 to 1993

Harmonie Park Media Group

Harmonie Park Media Group

Since the beginning of American popular music, the Detroit music culture has influenced every genre of music with its rich history of artists, songwriters and producers. Along with automobiles, “Motown” music has long been the “DNA” of Detroit, Michigan. Harmonie Park Music, LLC (“HP”) is nestled in the epicenter of such a dynamic. With the adoption of the Michigan Film Incentive Act in April of 2008 and its robust 42% production credit on film and “entertainment” productions including music and events, Michigan is quickly becoming a production haven for film and entertainment leaders.

HP is on a fast track to take advantage of the healthy credits available to music and entertainment visionaries by positioning itself as one of the leading experts. Add in cutting-edge creative advertising and branding abilities along with innovative consulting savvy to the HP business mix and you have the makings for a fresh, innovative and powerful multi-media entity to uniquely position in the marketplace.

With a management team of award winning music, advertising and consulting professionals, cutting-edge technology and on-the-edge marketing strategies, a new breed of company emerges – one that does not exits in the marketplace. Nowhere else will you find music, entertainment and communications all wrapped up in one entity.

Geographically, the area in Detroit known as “Harmonie Park” is located at the foot of what was once called, Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, where much of early American popular music was cultivated in the 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s. It is now at the heart of the newly named “Paradise Valley Entertainment and Cultural District” in downtown Detroit.

For the last fifteen years brothers Brian and Mark Pastoria, as part of Harmonie Park Music & Advertising, have helped carry the torch of Detroit’s incredible music legacy and are the premier Production Company and Studio in Detroit. With the addition of visionary leader Bill Evo, owner of eGroup Alliance, and advertising legend Gary Holme and his brother Jeff and their collective relationships and strategic partners, the new HP vision is set to launch as The Harmonie Media Group.

The committed professionals at Harmonie accept only the highest level of performance for team members. This business culture expectation, or HP “DNA,” will keep the Harmonie brand and work product pristine and ensure only the highest quality and results. Whether helping local and national brands with their advertising, launching an emerging recording artist, working with legendary artists like Aretha Franklin and Dave Mason, creating musical education programs or working on movie soundtracks, HP has a growing profile in the music, advertising and entertainment industry.

The Harmonie Media Group is the one-stop shop consultant for the emerging Music and Film Industry tax rebates which are the highest anywhere at 42%. HP is a powerful and effective partner to have when it comes to solving all music, video, creative, strategic consulting, database marketing or social networking needs.

The Harmonie Media Group specializes in music and leading edge creative marketing and advertising solutions. As a leader in the industry, it recognizes the new frontier in communications and the merging of the advertising and entertainment businesses and brands. The Harmonie Media Group integrates all forms of communications “in harmonie” to maximize, define and articulate the centrally driven authentic expression of a brand’s identity. The Harmonie Media Group is a full service dynamic team in which an enterprising spirit, fuels the drive to deliver beyond expectations.

Harmonie Park Music has gained a reputation as a premier music and creative group for the advertising and recording industry.

Harmonie Park Music is a leader in audio recording and music production. From song and music branding for commercial, film, video, radio, corporate, sports and special events to providing the most creative, efficient and comfortable environment for recording artists, Harmonie Park Music delivers it on time and on budget.

Nestled among the tree-lined side streets of downtown Detroit’s cozy Harmonie Park is the aptly-named Harmonie Park Studios. Open since 1996 and run by Mark Pastoria and Brian Pastoria. Harmonie Park has recorded some of the music industries top acts such as Aretha Franklin, Eminem, D12, P Diddy, Will.I.AM, The Black Crowes, Tori Amos, The Four Tops, Grand Funk Railroad, Mötley Crüe, Missy Elliott, Ben Folds Five, Dave Mason, Everclear, George Clinton, Elliott Smith, Karen Clark and her daughter, rising gospel star, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard.

Marquee names in the producer world like Rodney Jerkins, Michael J. Powell, P Diddy and others have also been a mainstay of the Harmonie Park sound. Mark Pastoria recently won a Grammy for his work on Ms. Franklin’s award winning track “A House is Not a Home” from the Luther Vandross tribute album. The song was also prominently featured on this year's televised American Music Awards.

Mark & Brian Pastoria have a long background in the music business, starting their first band in grade school, and becoming founding members of Detroit bands Adrenalin & DC Drive, eventually getting signed to major label recording deals and touring with artists like Aerosmith, Bob Seger. Over the last 10+ years they have successfully moved into the production & advertising business.

Brian Pastoria attributed the company's recent successes to a unique out of the box approach. "We like to bring major label talent to the ad world. Music is the cornerstone of what we do here but we have some great creative people that enable us to take great ideas and produce them for all mediums under one roof." Pastoria said.

Mark Pastoria said "The business is coming together with the benefit of repeat clients and a longer track record. Clients also seem to like the urban setting."

Chuck Alkazian, a senior audio engineer and a producer for competitor Midwest Pro Audio in Canton Township, said “Harmonie Park has a good reputation in the recording business and is known for outstanding music branding for commercials. An urban setting sets the right tone and is often more convenient to local artists and advertisers.”

Harmonie Park Music is a powerful and effective partner to have when it comes to solving all your music needs. Contact us!

Office PH: 313-965-4343
Fax: 313-963-4882

“Music is harmony, harmony is perfection...”
- Henri Frederic Amiel

The Harmonie Park Creative Group is a committed group of professionals taking “The Creative Group” to another level. All of your creative needs are met under one roof including television and radio production. We know the needs of today’s client needs; Creative, fast and affordable.

Whether it is helping local car dealers with their advertising, or launching an emerging Detroit recording artist, working with legendary artists like Aretha Franklin, or working on movie soundtracks, Harmonie Park has a growing profile in the advertising and entertainment industry.

Launched in 1996 with a recording studio in Harmonie Park, the business has since expanded as a full service creative group with a proven track record that now includes Film and Video Production, Editing, Graphic Design, E-Services, and Marketing and Media Strategy.

Some of the company's success stories include music branding for a popular series of commercials for Michigan Lottery, Birmingham Chrysler Jeep, McDonalds, MotorCity Casino and songs for DTE Energy Co., Jorgensen Ford, Jim Causley Pontiac, SMART Bus, UAW Ford, local radio personality “Mason”, Coca Cola and a host of others.

A powerful creative commune has come together in Harmonie Park. Give us a call!

Office PH: 313-965-4343
Fax: 313-963-4882

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