Artist Linked to Instrument Builder
THURMAN WOODS JR. developed a love for music at an early age. By the time he was 6 years old, he was playing drums with his family in church — accompanying his mom on guitar and his dad on the bass. While traveling with his family, Thurman developed an ear for bass and had learned to play by the age of 13. When he started high school, Thurman played bass in the jazz band and was encouraged to hone his percussion skills. It was there that he learned to read music and was exposed to basic music theory.
With the knowledge he accumulated in high school, Thurman was offered a music scholarship to Shaw University where he met some major players. After only his first year, he was on tour with Charles Johnson & The Revivers during the summer with his cousin Jack Russell who was in the industry.
Working with family also afforded Thurman the opportunity to meet Mike Mathis which gave him the opportunity to work with BET on the first annual Celebration of Gospel. That put him on stage with Peabo Bryson, Lou Rawls, Regina Bell, and a host of others, and it allowed him to book dates with Shirley Caesar and the Caesar Singers.
Later in his career, Thurman accepted a position as the bass player for the church house band at Upper Room Church of God in Christ where he has been proudly serving as assistant music director since 2010. In 2013, Thurman took the position of Music Director for the International Musicians Summit, founded by Kevin Wilson, where he has shared the stage with professional musicians from around the world — including Jonathan DuDose Jr., Paul Jackson Jr., Eric Walls, Mark Littieri, Eric Gales, Will McFarland, Andrew Gouche, and Andy Wood.
Thurman credits all his success and accolades to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “I owe it all to Him,” he says. “The Lord has been so gracious and merciful!”
