Jazz Museum celebrates the history of the drum
19th November 2018 · 0 Comments
By Kelly Parker
Contributing Writer
The drum has been the pulse New Orleans’ cultural beat, from serving as an ancestral connection through music and dance in Congo Square centuries ago, to today’s bands along the streets in parades and second lines and in our favorite local venues. Be it school bands or our beloved brass bands, The evolution and continuous celebration of the drum is palpable.
To celebrate the city’s tricentennial, and International Drum Month, The New Orleans Jazz Museum just debuted an exhibit, Drumsville, An Evolution of the New Orleans Beat. On November 8, enthusiasts came out for the launching, and were welcomed by the Roots of Music, legends Luther Gray and Uganda Roberts, and the Treme Brass Band.
“This exhibit is one that we have been wanting to do for some time now.,” says New Orleans Jazz Museum Director Greg Lambousy.
“Drumming is such an important aspect of New Orleans music and it has influenced so many around the world. We happen to have one of the premier collections of drum sets and percussion instruments related to the New Orleans greats like Paul Barbarain, Earl Palmer, James Black, just to name a few. We are working with some of the best drummers in town on the exhibit including Herlin Riley, Stanton Moore, Joe Lastie, Shannon Powell, Johnny Vidacovich; and the list goes on and on.”
The exhibit travels back to the days of Congo Square. A reproduction of the bamboula drum similar to those found before the 1840’s was on display for attendees to create their own beat.
“We’ve borrowed a number of African Drums from Southern University’s museum, as well as Native American drums that were donated. The first thing that you see will be those Native American Drums. There’s also a big focus on homemade instruments and bass drum pedal,” Lambousy shares.
Bass drums from the Tuxedo Brass Band, Josiah Cie Frazier, along with a snare drum from Christie Jourdain, of the popular young female brass band, The Pinnettes, are also included in the exhibit.
Perhaps the piece that Lambousy is most excited about is one that belonged to Baby Dodds.
Warren “Baby” Dodds, is regarded as one of the city’s most celebrated jazz drummers of the pre big-band era. He was among the first drummers to be recorded while improvising.
Dodds’ nephew actually had a drum set that belonged to his uncle in his closet, at his home in Chicago. He sent it to New Orleans to be a part of the exhibit.
“I think it’s one the most important artifacts I’ve ever had the honor to receive,” Lambousy told The Louisiana Weekly. “ It’s really one of the main jewels on our collection, next to the Louis Armstrong trumpet that we have.”
Also included are videos, listening stations featuring various drummers and musicians and much more.
Drumsville! Is currently on display until March 15, 2019.
This article originally published in the November 19, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
