Mark says that when we find our rhythm, we begin to change the world.
Percussionist, scholar and activist Mark Lomax uses music to illustrate the power of “collective individualism” — which is the practice of self-expression that enhances the unifying rhythm that we can all participate in together. He advocates for self-trust and heart-work as a pathway toward finding what we uniquely have to express in the world, and for knowing where we fit into the bigger picture and can best serve others. He encourages us to find the “optimal rhythm,” which embodies trust in ourselves and others, intentional language, and considerations of all people’s humanity. Through this practice, we can participate in a change that will take generations to unfold.
About the speaker
Dr. Mark Lomax, II, is a critically acclaimed composer, recording artist, drummer, activist, educator, and author of the forthcoming book, Toward a Politics of Humanity. In one of the timeliest and unprecedented pieces of work of our history, Lomax released 400: An Afrikan Epic in January 2019. This magnum opus consists of a 12 album cycle, a curriculum, and a documentary that ambitiously tells the story of the Afrikan diaspora. Divided into thirds, the Epic explores thousands of years of the history that is pre-colonial Afrika, the Ma’afa (400 years between 1619 and 2019), and Afro-futurism expressing a vision of what Blacks in America will heal toward in the next 400 years. Largely self funded, the 400 was supported by a residency at The Wexner Center for the Arts. Quoted in Columbus Monthly, Lane Czaplinski, Wexner performing arts director says, “Mark is an absolute experimentalist ... and this huge, deep project will look at the legacy of jazz from the past all the way to the future.” Lomax also calls 400: An Afrikan Epic, an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, brilliance, strength, genius, and creativity of a people who continue to endure while offering a transformative view of the future. A highly sought-after lecturer, Lomax specializes in the socio-political, and spiritual aspects of African-American art music, race, and using the arts to build community. These ideas are documented in his TED Talk Activating The Transformative Power Of Trust. Lomax adamantly declares that “there has never been a time in his life that music was not a part of me.” Heavily influenced by his father, a pastor, and mother, a composer of gospel music, Lomax was introduced to gospel and jazz at an early age. He continued his study of gospel music with Dr. Raymond Wise, founder of the Center for the Gospel Arts.
Lomax has toured with the Delfeayo Marsalis Sextet and worked with notable artists such as Clark Terry, Marlon Jordan, Azar Lawrence, Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, Nicholas Payton, Ellis Marsalis, and Wessel Anderson, among others. Jazz Times says Lomax’s “forceful drumming would have made Elvin Jones proud.” He has also been a resident artist with the Cincinnati Symphony (2019), Denison University (2017), and has presented the 400 across the country at various colleges, universities, art and community organizations. Dr. Lomax’s myriad experiences have allowed him to create a unique blend of styles in his music. Whether he’s interpreting the Negro Spiritual through jazz, arranging gospel music for a symphony orchestra, or performing his original works, his music is relevant, probing, and inspiring.
Dr. Mark Lomax, II is happy to endorse RBH Drums and Murat Diril Cymbals.
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