MySpace a place for friends

DAMARU is Chuck Wood on percussion and Colin Allured on guitars and vocals. The two musicians met when Allured opened up for Wood’s world percussion duo Ghandharva at a show in Winston Salem, North Carolina. They formed an instant friendship and lasting musical relationship, playing concerts, yoga classes, retreats, art galleries and schools.

DAMARU’s music has deep bows to the African, Latin American and Indian classical traditions as well as the natural western influences of rock and jazz. Chuck has studied various percussion with Baba Olatunji, M’Beba Bangoura, Mohammed Camera, Yaya Nelson, Ladji Camera, Mar Gueye and Glen Webber. Colin has studied with Hindustani classical singer Madhumita Saha, Indian sitar master Roop Verma and has a degree in classical guitar from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Both have performed extensively prior to forming DAMARU.

Chuck records and has toured the U.S. with his friend Arjun Alan Bruggeman in their world percussion band known as Ghandharva. He has also appeared live or recorded with Michael Franti of Spearhead, Ganga Giri, Neal Casal, Bobby McFerrin, David Darling, Shannon McNally, The John Ginty Band, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Tribe after Tribe (featuring the South African musician Robbie Robb, Jeff Ament of Pear Jam and Doug Pinnick of King’s X), Three Fish, Anthony Krizon (Spin Doctors) and Roamin’ Gabriels.

Colin has toured and recorded extensively with his progressive-soul rock band Thinking Plyers, played with the New Orleans Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony and won numerous competitions for classical guitar and composition.

One of DAMARU’s favorite ways to perform is in discovering the vast potential of yoga and live music. They create an integral flow that is sensitive to the pace led by the yoga instructor and becomes an intimate part of the participants practice. Ranging from vigorous rhythms that give energy and focus to the asanas, to meditative alaps that deepen listening and calmness in meditation and shivasana. DAMARU also gives concerts that range from Colin’s “original spirituals” such as “Sara’s Chant”, adaptations of African guitarist Ali Farka Toure’s “Gomni” with Sanskrit mantra’s as in "Mantra Dance", and original instrumental collaborations which celebrate their influences and encourage trance dancing, spiritual experience and a down-right ecstatic good time!

Currently DAMARU is working with yoga instructor Ashley Ludman, founder of Seaside Yoga in Wilmington, NC, on a recording that musically illustrates the chakras with guided meditations, finishing a full length album, and planning a tour for Februrary 2009.

For concert, workshop or yoga bookings please contact us via this web site.