Rhythm Links
The rhythm community continues to grow at an exciting pace. We have listed some current sites that are of interest to rhythm lovers. However, new sites are constantly appearing every day. Explore through these sites and have fun learning about the powerful link between rhythm and life.
- The Village Drum - Events and resources page for the Maryland-DC area drumming community.
- Drumble Club - Maryland's Premier Drum Circle.
- Mamady Keita - A native of Guinea, Mamady was initiated into the ways of the djembe at the age of 7 and he has not looked back since! Mamady teaches and tours extensively throughout the world. Look out for classes in the DC area as well as other sites in the United States.
- Arthur Hull's Village Music Circles - One of the foremost leaders of Rhythm culture in the United States. Check out the site for the Rhythmical Alchemy Playshop that is held every year in Hawaii. It's a life-changing experience!
- Layne Redmond - The February 2000 issue of DRUM! Magazine listed Layne Redmond as one of the 53 Heavyweight Drummers Who Made A Difference in the '90s. She's the only woman on this list which includes Tony Williams, Zakir Hussain and Micky Hart. Also referred to as "priestess of the drum", Layne specializes in the small hand-held frame drum played primarily by women in the ancient Mediterranean world. Her book "When the Drummers were Women" is essential reading.
- Babatunde Olatunji - BABA!
- Glen Velez - Glen Velez is an internationally recognized frame drummer, composer, scholar, and teacher. He uses an array of instruments such as the Egyptian riq, (a small, intricately inlaid tambourine), the Irish bodhran, (a large single-headed drum), and the North African tar (often seen in the hands of desert nomads). Check out his instructional videos.
- Robert Lawrence Friedman - Robert Friedman is the author of "The Healing Power of the Drum" and is a pioneer in the field of therapeutic drumming for stress relief.
- Jacqui Macmillan - Jaqui MacMillan is a wonderful performer and drum circle facilitator living in Washington DC. Check out her site for local happenings and more great links.
- House of Musical Traditions - Location for BEATJAM, the only indoor, weekly drum circle in the DC-MD-VA area, which has been held continuously for almost 13 years. Also a good source for world percussion.
The following sites provide information and services relating to drum circles as well as percussion related sales.
- Baltimore International Rhythm & Drumming Society (BIRDS) - Baltimore based non-profit dedicated to uniting Baltimore's diverse communities through music and the rhythmic arts. BIRDS sponsors the Baltimore International Rhythm Festival each year.
- The Drum Circle Facilitators Guild (DCFG) - A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting drum circle facilitators.
- Mickey Hart
- Shakerman
- David Courtney's Tabla site
- Heather McTavish/New Rhythms Foundation
- PercussionStands - Handmade percussion stands and seats.
- REMO - Maker of great world percussion instruments.