æHeartbeat Drumbeat is a coming-of-age story, set in the multi-cultural American Southwest. Morgana Cruz is the daughter of a Navajo mother and a Mexican-American father. In her search for identity, Morgana weaves her way through a series of personal and cultural conflicts, leading her to interact with a group of fascinating characters: Isadora, her Navajo mentor; Eagle Eyes, a young Indian lawyer seeking to establish his own identity; and MorganaÍs own parentsfeisty Frank Cruz and elusive Marisol, whose secret holds the key to MorganaÍs future. Rich in descriptions of Native American and Mexican coming-of-age rituals, this novel will appeal to readers of all ages.
Author Deidre Havrelock’s and illustrator Aphelandra’s The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity nisôhkisinân (We are strong) . . . ninikamonân (We are singing) . . . mîna nika-âhkamêyimonân (And we will continue) . . . Whenever young Carol Powder sang along to her family’s music, her heart felt light and full of joy. Learning from her grandfather, Moshum, Carol listened closely to the drums’ heartbeat until one day Moshum made her a drum of her very own. As Carol grew up, she passed down her songs to her children, grandchildren, and many women in her community, just as Moshum taught her—even as women and children became increasingly excluded from sitting at the drum. Despite those who disapproved, she formed her own drumming group called Chubby Cree. Today, Carol and her group share their music to advocate at climate events, to honor residential school survivors at special ceremonies, and to spread healing for anyone who needs it. Empowering and joyfully illustrated, The Heartbeat Drum is a radiant celebration of preserving Indigenous traditions, finding your voice, and speaking out. Includes both an author’s note and illustrator’s note, as well as a personal note from Carol Powder herself.
Portraits of several drummers as informed by the drummers themselves and their contemporaries. It is also Burt Korall's memoir of nearly fifty years in the jazz world.
From the Grammy-nominated singer, drummer, and percussionist who is world renowned for her contributions throughout the music industry, a moving memoir about the healing power of music and spiritual growth inspired by five decades of life and love on the stage. She was born Sheila Escovedo in 1957, but the world knows her as Sheila E. She first picked up the drumsticks and started making music at the precocious age of three, taught by her legendary father, percussionist Pete Escovedo. As the goddaughter of Tito Puente, music was the heartbeat of her family, and despite Sheila's impoverished childhood in Oakland, California, her family stayed strong, inspired by the music they played nightly in their living room. When she was only five, Sheila delivered her first solo performance to a live audience. By nineteen, she had fallen in love with Carlos Santana. By twenty-one, she met Prince at one of her concerts. Sheila E. and Prince would eventually join forces and collaborate for more than two decades, creating hits that catapulted Sheila to her own pop superstardom. The Beat of My Own Drum is both a walk through four decades of Latin and pop music—from her tours with Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie, Prince, and Ringo Starr to her own solo career. At the same time, it’s also a heartbreaking, ultimately redemptive look at how the sanctity of music can save a person’s life. Having repeatedly endured sexual abuse as a child, Sheila credits her parents, music, and God with giving her the will to carry on and to build a lasting legacy. Rich in musical detail, pop, and Latin music history, this is a fascinating walk through some of the biggest moments in music from the ’70s and ’80s. But as Sheila’s personal story, this memoir is a unique glimpse into a world-famous drummer’s singular life—a treat for both new and longtime fans of Sheila E. And above all, The Beat of My Own Drum is a testament to how the positive power of music has fueled Sheila’s heart and soul—and how it can transform your life as well.
Steeped in Anishinaabe remedies for psychological healing and personal growth, Listen to the Drum invites us to learn to listen at the deepest level. Steeped in Anishinaabe remedies for psychological healing and personal growth, Listen to the Drum invites us to learn to listen at the deepest level. It also helps us learn about our unique and special purpose, how to walk in balance and harmony on the Red Road, and how to connect to the River of Life. A deeply inspiring and refreshing invitation to learn from Native American traditions.
Babatune Olatunji's record album Drums of Passion proclaimed that the time had come for America to recognize Africa's cultural contributions to the music world. Through his many albums and live performances, the Nigerian drummer popularized West African traditional music and spread his message of racial harmony. In this long-awaited autobiography, Olatunji presents his life story and the philosophy that guided him. Olatunji influenced and inspired musicians for more than forty years - from luminaries to music students and the many ordinary people who participated in his drum circles. He writes about rhythm being "the soul of life," and about the healing power of the drum. Ultimately, The Beat of My Drum shows why at the time of his death in 2003, Olatunji had become, according to The New York Times, "the most visible African musician in the United States."
With easy-to-follow instructions for group activities and rhythms, this book provides tools to lead drum circles effectively with people facing a wide variety of life challenges. Sections on outcomes, setting up for success, common challenges and practical adaptations of the drum circle guide you in leading sessions with your own groups. The compendium also offers guidance on pricing, evaluating your sessions, managing challenging behaviours and duty of care. Demonstrating the potential of this empowering creative activity in supporting therapeutic and developmental outcomes, this book equips you to meet the needs of different groups through the healing power of music.
“The most profound truth in the universe is this: that we are all one drum and we need each other.” —Richard Wagamese, One Drum Fans of Richard Wagamese’s writing will be heartened by the news that the bestselling author left behind a manuscript he’d been working on until shortly before his death in 2017. One Drum welcomes readers to unite in ceremony to heal themselves and bring harmony to their lives and communities. In One Drum, Wagamese wrote, “I am not a shaman. Nor am I an elder, a pipe carrier, or a celebrated traditionalist. I am merely one who has trudged the same path many of this human family has—the path of the seeker, called forward by a yearning I have not always understood.” One Drum draws from the foundational teachings of Ojibway tradition, the Grandfather Teachings. Focusing specifically on the lessons of humility, respect and courage, the volume contains simple ceremonies that anyone anywhere can do, alone or in a group, to foster harmony and connection. Wagamese believed that there is a shaman in each of us, and we are all teachers and in the world of the spirit there is no right way or wrong way. Writing of neglect, abuse and loss of identity, Wagamese recalled living on the street, going to jail, drinking too much, feeling rootless and afraid, and then the feeling of hope he gained from connecting with the spiritual ways of his people. He expressed the belief that ceremony has the power to unify and to heal for people of all backgrounds. “When that happens,” he wrote, “we truly become one song and one drum beating together in a common purpose—and we are on the path to being healed.”
Take a guided tour from a writer who grew up and studied on Native American reservations and join those throughout the world—from Siberia to South America, Australia to Africa—who venerate the drum for its healing and celebratory powers. Through painting, cleansing, blessing, smudging, dedicating, chanting, and performing, you’ll find your own special beat, transforming the drum into a medicinal tool. Become one with a purchased or homemade instrument. Draw on the knowledge of Native American and other cultures to drum away fear, purify, establish a sacred space, and reach into areas of the consciousness that would otherwise be inaccessible. Extra special bonus: a CD with more than an hour’s worth of music for a Sacred Directions ceremony, meditation, trance, and more.
It's here at last! Tony Horgan's Volca Drum guide will turn anyone into an expert. Every feature is explained and illustrated clearly, with inspirational tips and tricks to get you making big beats in an instant. Quick-start guides, over 50 patches, Wave Guide effects, hidden features and hacks, and detailed sequences reveal everything there is to know about this mighty little drum machine. This is the most visual Volca Expert Guide yet, with a treasure trove of concept images to back up the crystal clear text.
