D. Mark Agostinelli

Author, Percussionist and Critic of Percussion 

D. Mark Agostinelli is the man who defined the art of the modern rudiment. Writing the “Drum Rudiment Bible” he was able to create the first book that incorporated all known hybrid rudiments in existence. Studying with such greats as the legendary Mike Sgroi, and travelling around the world, in places as far as Central Africa; Mark learned incredible technique for both hands utilizing drum rudiments. D. Mark Agostinelli is known as being one of the most influential music educators of his time through his devotional dedication to the art of rudimental drumming.  He has significantly contributed to the art of drumming and percussion by researching and developing one of the most inclusive books on the subject of drum rudiments.  Before Agostinelli conducted his research; there was no “One Single” source to pull from for “Hybrid” rudiments.  Hybrid rudiments were originally shared by drummers showing other drummers, and the only way that you could obtain/learn a new hybrid rudiment, was if someone showed you.  This made it incredibly difficult to learn new rudiments; especially if a student did not have access to a person that new them.  Hence, Agostinelli enormously expanded upon a branch of knowledge within the percussion/drumming field of study, by creating “The Drum Rudiment Bible” which will forever contribute to the society of drummers and percussionist around the world.

D. Mark Agostinelli later went on to write over 20 books on percussion covering the drum rudiments in great detail.  A few of his books have gone on to become bestsellers.  Multiple books that he has written frequently topped the “top 100 list” for Percussion books, and were translated into 5 languages and sold worldwide becoming keystones in the Percussion discipline. 

All book covers - The Drum Rudiment Bible - D Mark Agostinelli Books - Drum Rudiment Books - Best Drum Book of the Year
Best Drum Author of 2017 - Best of the Year - All book covers - The Drum Rudiment Bible - D Mark Agostinelli Books - Drum Rudiment Books - Best Drum Book of the Year

D. Mark Agostinelli started playing the drums and had a passion to learn when he only 7 years old.  He was taught by Mike Sgroi; an expert, and well known percussion/drum teacher in New York City.

D. Mark Agostinelli was well versed in a broad spectrum of music genre’s, because Mike Sgroi was well educated himself from a beginner through expert levels and introduced all of these techniques to Agostinelli early in his development.

During the years that Agostinelli worked with Sgroi he became an advanced student.  After years of studying with Sgroi; Agostinelli advanced further into a post advanced level of Percussion knowledge.  D. Mark Agostinelli learned from advanced teachers throughout Manhattan and West Africa.  He traveled the world and learned multiple styles abroad.  He felt that the teachers in his home area of Staten Island, NY and Manhattan were limited to only western music styles and later travelled to Africa to further advance his knowledge in percussion. 

Agostinelli won the Joan Osborne Award for performing arts in the young ripe age of 13 and was involved in many competitions, big bands, drumlines and marching bands throughout his teenage and young adult years.  During this time he was afforded the opportunity to play lead snare drum in the 1998 and the 1999 Yankees ticker tape parade.  He competed numerous times in competitions; including the Giant Stadium Competition. 

D Mark Agostinelli Played in Giant Stadium in Competitions - Great Drummer and Author
D Mark Agostinelli Played the Drums in Disney World in Competitions - Great Drummer and Author

During the years that Agostinelli worked with Sgroi he became an advanced student.  After years of studying with Sgroi; Agostinelli advanced further into a post advanced level of Percussion knowledge.  D. Mark Agostinelli learned from advanced teachers throughout Manhattan and West Africa.  He traveled the world and learned multiple styles abroad.  He felt that the teachers in his home area of Staten Island, NY and Manhattan were limited to only western music styles and later traveled to Africa to further advance his knowledge in percussion. 

Agostinelli won the Joan Osborne Award for performing arts in the young ripe age of 13 and was involved in many competitions, big bands, drumlines and marching bands throughout his teenage and young adult years.  During this time he was afforded the opportunity to play lead snare drum in the 1998 and the 1999 Yankees ticker tape parade.  He competed numerous times in competitions; including the Giant Stadium Competition. 

Agostinelli traveled to Disney world and played the Drums in Epcot and Magic Kingdom when he was only 16 years old.

Agostinelli traveled to Africa in 2004, 2005, and 2007, and learned how to play African beats and rhythm from a master drummer Sunny Yusef Okoye in Nigeria.  Master drummer Sunny Yusef Okoye lived near a village named Ahaba Imenyi, Isuikwato Located in Abia State, Nigeria, which was a village near Agostinelli’s ex-wife whom was from that village.  Agostinelli later traveled back there after his divorce to learn from the master percussionist directly.  Although the village was mainly people from the Igbo tribe, Agostinelli learned both Yoruba method and Igbo method along with other most major West African rhythms.  Later on, Agostinelli utilized these percussion skills in methods that were unique a revolutionary to the world of percussion.    

During the years of 2005, 2006, and 2007 Agostinelli was head of a West African music ministry.  Also, he briefly played the drums in a music ministry for the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY.  He also played multiple times in the Famous music hall the Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY.  Later on in his career, he would return, while leading/teaching a drum line called the Soul Tigers Marching Band. (Which was only a drumline at the time)  Kenyatta Hughes was the Director and Band leader for the Soul tigers and in 2009, asked Agostinelli to teach the drummers of the Soul Tigers.  During this time in D Mark Agostinelli’s career he began teaching intermediate school band and percussion classes at I.S. 292 in East New York Brooklyn.  He was also asked by the City of New York to teach homeless children how to play the drums in Brooklyn, NY.  

D Mark Agostinelli in Nigeria where he learned African Drumming from the Igbo and Yuroba - Master Drummer and Author D Mark Agostinelli