Here's the latest in my essays on Visionaries of Sound—music innovators who are more than entertainers or artists, but rather change agents in human life. In this installment, I celebrate Layne Redmond (1952-2013)—drummer, scholar, teacher, and visionary
Hi Tina, I don't know how I became a Substack author. I have no intention of writing anything. Instruments: 22" Remo, John Bergamo Tar, 20" Meinle Def, 16" Remo (the name of the N. African frame drum slipped my aging mind), Remo, Layne Redmond Tarine, Egyptian Garwarat El Fan Riq, Tycoon Cajon, S. Indian Ghatam, a short version of a Thai long drum, and a Practice Pad with 5a sticks. Do you play?
The city of São Luís in the state of Maranhão in the Northeast of Brazil is a frame drumming capitol of the world and it is recognized by UNESCO. The cultural complex of Bumba Meu Boi. The frame drum played for this dance/music/street theater performance is called Pandeirão.
Anyone interested in frame drums or spiritual charged music must check it out:
I studied with Layne for 6 months. To know her was to love her. We talked by phone a few days before she died and writing this still brings tears to my eyes. I always think of her when I play the 16" Bendir I purchased from her. Thank you for writing about Layne.
Fascinating read Ted. Redmond's time in Brasil brought to mind a song by Gal Costa called "Bumbo Da Mangueira" in which the surdo sounds like the mother beat of the heart.
i remember, the N. African frame drum is called a Bendir. Do you play music?
Hi Tina, I don't know how I became a Substack author. I have no intention of writing anything. Instruments: 22" Remo, John Bergamo Tar, 20" Meinle Def, 16" Remo (the name of the N. African frame drum slipped my aging mind), Remo, Layne Redmond Tarine, Egyptian Garwarat El Fan Riq, Tycoon Cajon, S. Indian Ghatam, a short version of a Thai long drum, and a Practice Pad with 5a sticks. Do you play?
The city of São Luís in the state of Maranhão in the Northeast of Brazil is a frame drumming capitol of the world and it is recognized by UNESCO. The cultural complex of Bumba Meu Boi. The frame drum played for this dance/music/street theater performance is called Pandeirão.
Anyone interested in frame drums or spiritual charged music must check it out:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbhcd3DwGfk
This is a book I have to buy. Thank you for this compassionate and informative piece.
I studied with Layne for 6 months. To know her was to love her. We talked by phone a few days before she died and writing this still brings tears to my eyes. I always think of her when I play the 16" Bendir I purchased from her. Thank you for writing about Layne.
Band in which the frame drum anchors the beat: The Chieftains.
Fascinating read Ted. Redmond's time in Brasil brought to mind a song by Gal Costa called "Bumbo Da Mangueira" in which the surdo sounds like the mother beat of the heart.