TICKETS $10 AVAILABLE HERE ONLINE (or at Ditch Records, Lyle's Place)
DRUMHAND wields a name derived from the group’s percussive origins. Hands, sticks and mallets pounding out old and new rhythms on weathered skins: evoking ancient forms of ‘messaging’ via global beats for dancing bodies and curious ears! The Toronto ensemble was founded by percussionists David Chan, Larry Graves (Mr. Something Something) and Steve Mancuso in 2008 in an effort to combine the circuitous rhythms of West Africa, Cuba, India and Brazil with the jazz-imbued horn work in the spirit of New Orleans parade bands.
With layered drumming and poly-meter at the core, many of DRUMHAND’s accessible and edgy compositions feature the one-stringed ‘stomach harp’ of Brazil or the box-shaped Gomé foot drum of West Africa alongside the woodwind magic of Marcus Ali (Cruzao/Jason Wilson) and brass love of Rebecca Hennessy (Woodshed Orchestra). The group’s ‘folkloric’-style vocals appear in a variety of languages and sometimes offer audiences a part in the show.
Three albums and several tour miles later, DRUMHAND is becoming increasingly known for innovative orchestrations; dynamic and uplifting performance energy; and artistic accessibility for audiences of all ages. Their unique inclusiveness can be experienced in concert at festivals; school performances; music venues; street parties and nightclubs across Canada and the US.
DRUMHAND is:
Marcus Ali: Saxophones, Flutes, Voice
David Chan: Percussion, Voice
Larry Graves: Percussion, Voice
Rebecca Hennessy: Trumpet, Voice
Steve Mancuso: Percussion, Voice
Local percussion supergroup the Victoria Percussion Ensemble, and Victoria's samba kings and queens, Masala, kick off the evening of what is surely to be one of the summer's most memorable shows in the Capital.
