Mark Wood

Drumming's a way to beat out problems (by Elizabeth Martin - December 17, 2008)

Musical beginnings … A life-long musician whose musical talent was evident early on, Mark Wood started playing trap drums 25 years ago. He has played everything from Southern Rock to Punk to Do-Wop. In 1996, he turned to Latin drums, playing and studying the conga with Glen Webber at the New Jersey School of Percussion. His musical talent landed him jobs with a number of performance groups, including an original Latin-retro band in New York City and a Santana tribute band.

Discovering and studying the djembe...Back in the ‘90s, Mark also began studying djembe, the African drum he now plays. His teacher: his brother, Chuck Wood, a local musician and drum circle facilitator, who had studied with Babatunde Olatunji, the famous Nigerian who popularized African hand drumming in this country. Mark assisted Chuck with drumming workshops and events and they also assembled a performance group that included Mark’s son, Don. During this time, Mark began to see and experience the power of the djembe and its special way of bringing people together.

In 2000, Mark started studying at the Djonibe Centre in New York and with some of the best African drumming teachers in the area--Michael Markus and M'Bemba Bangoura. Through them, he learned about the African traditions that are an integral part of the drumming experience. He continues to study with Amadou Diallo, an African teacher from Guinea, located in Upstate New York.

Facilitating community….For the past few years, Mark has been facilitating numerous drum circles and teaching workshops in local communities as well as privately. He has also provided health/wellness drumming experiences to associations such as the Hunterdon County ARC and the Wellness Community of Central New Jersey’s cancer support group in Somerset, NJ.

In each of these venues, Mark teaches participants how to use the unique language of the drum to communicate as individuals and as part of the group. “In order to make the groove happen,” he says, “people need to work together as a team. Mark, whose down-to-earth style puts people at ease, facilitates a drumming experience that creates a sense of community and unity. “I try to create an environment in which deep relaxation, joy and healing can take place.” People who drum with Mark report that they relax, have fun and “live in the moment.”

Promoting unity through drumming…Mark’s personal mission is to “spread the word” about the djembe and educate more people about it, including medical and educational institutions, where the benefits would be tremendous. “I’d like to see more people experience the benefits of African drumming,” he says. “When that happens, more people will be able to connect, communicate and be part of this community. It’s my way of promoting unity through drumming.”