New York–based drummer, bassist, and composer Nate Wood developed a modern profile through Kneebody and through fOUR, his one-man-band concept combining drums, bass, and keyboards performed simultaneously. His work connects modern jazz and fusion language with real-time coordination and live performance control.
Kneebody credits place Wood at the center of the band’s rhythmic identity as the group moves between structured compositions and heavy improvisation. In the band’s later performance concept, Wood often covers drums and electric bass at the same time, adding a second role without adding another player.
Outside Kneebody, fOUR documents Wood’s multi-instrument setup through live-performance execution rather than studio layering. Modern Drummer ran a March 2020 feature titled “Nate Wood: Redefining What’s Possible with Kneebody, fOUR, and More,” written by Terry Branam and photographs by George Burrows.
Current work includes multiple collaborations with pianist/composer Tigran Hamasyan. Hamasyan’s official credits list Wood performing drums across much of the 2024 double album The Bird of a Thousand Voices, with additional electric bass credit on one track, placing Wood inside one of Hamasyan’s major large-form projects.
Recent activity: continued output remains active under both Kneebody and fOUR, alongside ongoing recording, performance, and project updates tied to Wood’s current cycle of work.
Gear: Gretsch; Istanbul Agop; ProMark; Remo; DW Hardware; Aguilar.
Sources: Modern Drummer (March 2020 feature by Terry Branam); Kneebody (official website); TigranHamasyan.com (official album credits); ProMark (artist profile); Gretsch Drums artist info; Istanbul Agop artist info.
Update: January 23, 2026
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