Hannabiell
Sanders and Yilis (djembes, congas, dunduns, mbiras, Tyler the bass trombone,
various percussion).
I
entered to the exciting sound of 2 djembes (African hand drums) playing rhythms
and counter rhythms, fast, slow, a long piece with many climaxes, surely partly
improvised, or maybe instructions were coming from Hannabiell’s occasional
whistle blasts – words are inadequate to describe this music, and then suddenly
it was over and time for a break, well earned after all the energy
expended.
In the second half we were introduced to the mbira, which is half of a globe hollowed out, holding tuned keys which sound something like a marimba, which rather reminded me of running water in a dry part of Africa, a pleasing fresh sound. Tyler now made an entrance, an instrument which seems to have his/her own personality, a trombonist from the audience joined in and we were encouraged to hum along. We all gradually became part of the music before we realised what was happening, as we sang call and response with Hannabiell, the words ‘peace be with us now’ to insistent riffs from the drums. We all introduced ourselves to the band and Hannabiell explained that this was ‘musicing’, when everyone joins in, even the bar staff.
In the second half we were introduced to the mbira, which is half of a globe hollowed out, holding tuned keys which sound something like a marimba, which rather reminded me of running water in a dry part of Africa, a pleasing fresh sound. Tyler now made an entrance, an instrument which seems to have his/her own personality, a trombonist from the audience joined in and we were encouraged to hum along. We all gradually became part of the music before we realised what was happening, as we sang call and response with Hannabiell, the words ‘peace be with us now’ to insistent riffs from the drums. We all introduced ourselves to the band and Hannabiell explained that this was ‘musicing’, when everyone joins in, even the bar staff.
The
musicing continued as we were all given a percussion instrument to play, such
as agogo bells (2 bells with different tones, hit with a stick); various shaped
metallic instruments to be hit, rows of bells, and we had great fun making our
own music to the drumbeats, ever faster, more than one climax, then a sudden
stop. Then we swapped instruments and
did it all over again, helped by Tyler and all the drums.
A
very lively and enjoyable evening of music, just the thing to rid you of
musical inhibitions. You can see the
whole band (yes, there are many more players and instruments), doing what
Hannabiell described as ‘Afro Psychedelic Funk’ on Thursday 10th
September at the Cluny in Ouseburn.
Ann
Alex
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