The Art of Djembe by Beth Davis A


s a kid growing up in Vernon, the last thing Rick Liegl thought he would be doing was playing drums. His father played the drum set and although Liegl would listen, he was not attracted to it. In fact, he just thought it was noisy. That all changed at age 16 when he bought his first conga drum. He began


playing in drum circles, then coffee bars, and his drum collection grew. At 19, he attended an African djembe drumming workshop given by master dancer and drum- mer, Abdoulaye Sylla, from Les Ballets Africains, which is the prestigious national dance troupe of the Republic of Guinea responsible for popularizing djembe drum- ming in the 80s and 90s. The djembe is a hand drum shaped like a large goblet. It is said that the name


comes directly from the saying “Anke dje, anke be” which literally translates to “everyone gather together” and defines the drum’s purpose. It is a purpose that reso- nated immediately with Liegl. After that first class, he knew djembe drumming was something he wanted to continue. As luck would have it, the instructor, Abdoulaye Sylla, moved two streets away


from Liegl to teach at the University of Connecticut. Sylla became Liegl’s mentor and one of his principal masters; teaching him not only the art of drumming, but also the importance of unity, bringing people together, and sharing the spotlight. Other influences and teachers were Michael Markus of Magbana in New York


City, and Paul Assegai Baba Onilu, founder and artistic director of Soli Soma Djem- be Orchestra. Through this art and through his teachers, Liegl says he has been able to meet many great people from all over the world and has introduced hundreds of people to the joy of drumming through workshops, programs, and performances. In 1999, Liegl formed Hand-On Rhythm Circles, an interactive music therapy


program combining his love of drumming with therapeutic recreation, another one of his passions. He says the program brings individuals together to create a strong sense of group identity and belonging, making it ideal for people from all walks of life. “Response to rhythm is a basic human function, making percussion activities and


techniques highly motivational to people of all ages and backgrounds,” explains Liegl. Liegl presented the first program to a group of seniors. One woman could only


move two of her fingers. Struggling to find an instrument that would work for her, he realized he had some small “finger symbols.” He put the symbols on her fingers, and she began playing along with the radio, a smile on her face. “At that moment, I knew I was doing the right thing,” says Liegl. He has since worked with groups from all areas of education, such as schools,


day care centers, special needs camps, and colleges; nursing homes; churches; health care facilities; and more. “I see people get up out of their wheelchairs and dance,” notes Liegl. “It is a real celebration of life.” In 2009, Liegl and some friends began a school with the goal of sharing their


knowledge of the West African Djembe Ensemble with others. The You’ve Got Rhythm School of Percussion meets at the Wilson Congregational Church in Wind- sor every Monday night. “I love this art form and I want to share it,” says Liegl. The class is made up of beginning and advanced drummers. Liegl says the ancient art form of drumming is becoming more recognizable for


its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. “It is such a great activity because you have to focus,” he explains. “It clears the mind, like a form of meditation.” Drum- ming solo, he says, allows the individual to be creative–to express themselves and


26 Hartford County Edition www.NaturallyHealthyCT.com


“Response to rhythm is a basic human function, making percus- sion activities and techniques highly motivational to people of all ages and backgrounds,” explains Liegl.


their feelings through their drumming. In an ensemble, you work together as a group, with a goal of keeping the rhythm going. Liegl believes that one day, com-


munities, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions will all utilize the melodic and polyrhythmic djembe ensemble of West Africa to enhance the understanding of other cultures, to further develop communication skills through a team building activity, and to enjoy the ancient feeling of connecting with and expressing oneself through drum music. Through the years, Liegl has become


an expert at drum repairs. He offers repair service and drum sales. He also serves as an advisor for those interested in design- ing rhythm programs. “Percussion is my passion,” he says. “I’m here to share what I’ve learned–how to buy a drum, what country it comes from, and its history. It’s a lifetime journey for me.”


For information, call 860-818-2966, email Rick@DrumEventsUnlimited.com or visit DrumEventsUnlimited.com.


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