Drumsong

John deKadt & Vikki True

Feb 26-28, 2010

Drumming and singing are the two most ancient ways of
making music. As long as we’ve been people, we’ve
used drum and voice for celebration, invocations, initiations, weddings, hunting, harvesting, healing, shamanic journeys, and just plain fun. Hand drumming and singing connect us to ourselves, to each other, and to the rhythms of the earth and the cosmos.

Journey into the cozy indoor warmth by the fire, looking out onto the beauty of winter. Call forth your soul’s expression as you join your hands, heart, and voice in songs and rhythms from cultures throughout the world. Whether you’re an accomplished musician or someone who wants to make noise and holler, come prepared to experience the pure joy of drumming and singing in community.

John and Vikki’s passion for music and the community it fosters is infectious. Together they will create a safe, fun, non-competitive environment in which you will quickly tap into your own power through rhythm and voice. You will learn West African rhythms and songs, hand-drum and vocal rhythm techniques, gospel songs, and community drumming skills. You’ll also learn vocal practices that help you warm up and release the power of your own sounds. Bring your voice, your hands, a drum if you have one.

John de Kadt is a percussionist, poet, story teller, and a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. He has played frame drums from India, Ireland, Brazil, and Egypt, as well as African and Cuban drums for 28 years, taught drumming on PBS and live nationally on NBC. He’s performed with Steve Gorn, Krishna Das, Robert Bly, Baba Olatunji, Coleman Barks, and others. His CDs, This Rhythm Is Not Mine and Eight, have received rave reviews.

Vikki True’s musical influences include southern hymns, folk music, West African, Cuban, and jazz is her true love. Musician Simon Wainraub has called her “a force of nature, a one woman jazz explosion.” She is a spirit singer and jazz stylist who’s been performing professionally since she was 15. She has shared stages with Ani deFranco and Pete Seeger, opened for Spyro Gyra and Taj Mahal, and sung with Tommy Newsom, Eddie Harris, and Cuba’s premier jazz pianist Fran Amilio. She has two CDs with her gospel group, The Sweet Sisters of Mercy, and her solo CD
is ’Bout Time.