Artist Statement Mark Barfoot
I am a musician and with teacher with over 25 years of experience, specialising in West African drumming and playing hand pans. My passion for West African drumming began through a community drumming group called "Drummed Up", which I helped to found in 2001. My experiences expanded through my travels in West Africa – to Senegal, Gambia and twice to Guinea. Since then, I have been dedicated to learning, performing, and teaching others about these beautiful and rich musical traditions. This would not have been possible without the skill, generosity and kindness of many teachers including Nansady Keita and Iya Sako (Guinea), Seckou Keita and Mockoulo Sawane (Cassamance, Senegal) Sidiki Dembele (Ivory Coast) and expert in Malian rhythm Hans Sutton (UK). I also attended 2 UK Playshops with Arthur Hull (USA) in 2004 and 2005 in Drum Circle Facilitation which has also expanded the range of workshops I offer. I regularly work with several hundred people a week from Early Years, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, community groups and organisations both in North East England and nationally.
In 2020, I acquired my first of 4 handpans. These beautiful sound sculptures enable me to create melodies and harmonies and approach music rhythmically. I use them to compose new music both on my own and working with other musicians.
I work very closely with my partner Tracey West, a Dance Artist and Gong practitioner, and we co-direct Sacred Sounds CIC. Together we offer a wide range of workshops and classes for all abilities, including West African drumming, dance and somatic movement with live music, sound healing and gong bathing. What we offer is unique and based in over 50 years of practice working with communities. Often we bring up to 13 gongs, 4 handpans, sets of crystal bowls and koshi chimes. Through offering a welcoming space for people supported by sound, they can take the opportunity to rest deeply, restore and reset.
Currently, I am collaborating with Kenyan musician Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno, a multi-instrumentalist whose primary instrument is the eight-string lyre called the Nyatiti. Our music comprises Nyatiti, handpans, djembe, and vocal harmonies, and it has been an inspiring and satisfying process to work with Rapasa. We aim to offer performances and workshops shortly.
I also play with the band 'Live Rhythms', who play for dancers participating in 5 rhythms movement practice. The band comprises West African percussion and handpans, voices, piano and keyboards, trumpet, guitar, and cello.
In my teaching, I strive to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that allows students to develop their skills and connect to their creativity. Music has the power to bring people together, and I am committed to helping students of all backgrounds and abilities discover the joy and beauty of West African drumming.
My approach to teaching is grounded in the deep cultural roots of these instruments, and I work to impart technical and cultural knowledge to my students. I feel it is essential to understand the history and cultural significance of the music we play and the technical skills necessary to play it with precision and feel. Through sharing my passion, I aim to inspire a new generation of musicians to discover the beauty and power of West African rhythms.
I am involved in delivering several projects including 2 National Lottery funded projects "Uniting Communities - a nature inspired journey of music, dance and sound healing" and Braena CIC's "Dancing my Way" – in Newton Aycliffe (County Durham), Seaham and Pallion Sunderland, where we work with Tracey West and a community of elder dancers. Our sessions cater to the needs of our communities meeting weekly to dance together to live music, enjoy gentle movement to find deep rest to the sound of handpans, singing bowls and gongs, socialise and build confidence and skills in many areas.
We also collaborate with St Luke's Neighbourhood Trust to offer a monthly evening of sound healing with gong bathing and handpans. The project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.
Additionally, I work with Sunshine Corner Arts, an arts and well-being project funded by National Lottery Community Fund that provides opportunities for dance and movement, music-making, sound healing, and sharing healthy food with community groups across Sunderland.
As a Workers Education Association Tutor from 2008 to 2024, I ran inclusive drumming and life skills courses with adults with learning disabilities in Sunderland.
I also run a weekly West African drumming course for adults from our Sacred Sounds studio at the Eagle Building in Sunderland.
The session runs on Mondays in blocks of 4-6 weeks 7-9pm. The session begins with a guided meditation with handpans to enable people to arrive and let go of the day. I then run a warm up for djembe playing and some technique exercises before we dive into traditional rhythm pieces for djembe and dunun (bass drums played with sticks and accompanied by a bell part) We also include some singing too.
email mark.djembe.barfoot@gmail.com or sacredsoundscic@gmail.com to book your place and to find out any other information.
