The Singing Wood Marimba Centre is the physical expression of my own
personal love of marimba playing. Its mission is to make the joy of
marimba playing accessible to all who are drawn to it.
I am a classically trained percussionist with decades of experience
playing classical (chromatic) marimba and teaching and arranging for
traditional "Western" percussion ensembles. I connected powerfully
with the Zimbabwean Shona marimba idiom when I moved to Santa Cruz in
1997 and was privileged to perform with the Santa Cruz -based Kuzanga
Marimba ensemble for two years. Singing Wood was established to offer broad
access to the Shona style of marimba ensemble playing -- the instruments
and the style as originally conveyed through the teachings of Shona master
musician Dumisani Maraire -- and as evolved in the years since. This
music offers exceptional melodic and polyrhythmic variety -- from the
very simple to the extremely complex -- and its ancient spiritual roots
strike common chords in all people who are open to it. A glorious learning
experience and playing experience is what Singing Wood aspires to be...
Come be a part of it!
Laura Mallon, Founder
