DRUMHAND

DRUMHAND was founded by percussionists David Chan, Larry Graves and Steve Mancuso in 2008, in an effort to combine the circuitous rhythms of West Africa, Cuba, India and Brazil, with jazz-imbued horn work in the spirit of New Orleans parade bands and the uplifting spirit of American Roots Music. Hands, sticks and mallets pound out old and new rhythms on weathered skins, evoking ancient forms of ‘messaging’ via global beats for dancing bodies and curious ears.

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 Gome foot-drum of West Africa alongside the woodwind explorations of Marcus Ali (Cruzao/Jason Wilson) and brass love of Rebecca Hennessy (Hobson’s Choice/ 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 (The Blue Skies Festival, DEEP ROOTS Music Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, to name a few), at school performances and in music venues, at street parties and in nightclubs across Canada and the US.