St. Louis Drum Ensemble Keeps the Beat Going Strong

The group is called Healing Hands and the last time I saw them play was on a Sunday at the Red Sea restaurant on Delmar in University City, near St. Louis. They sat near a wall in the front of the restaurant. Each had a type of African drum called a Djiembe. The Djiembe is sort of an hourglass-shaped drum, sometimes carved out of a tree trunk. Depending on its size, it is played between the legs, sat on, or strapped around the neck. The technical term for a Djiembe is a Membranophone. That means that it is a percussion instrument that has a head, or membrane that makes a sound when put into motion. They are struck with sticks, mallets, hammers, hands, and bows. The other group of percussion instruments are called Idiophones. These produce sound when vibrated. Think of marimbas, wood blocks, and symbols.

Healing Hands has about five original members, but anyone who is able can sit in with them while they play. The beat that they were producing on this warm summer night at the Red Sea was a perfect accompaniment to the spicy Ethiopian and Jamaican food being served. About halfway through the set, a slim young man comes in with his drum strapped around his neck. The members of the group don't miss a beat as he joins them and starts beating his drum. At this point, things really start to cook as the new addition to the band beats the Djiembe with lightening speed, his hands whipping into a barely discernable blur. The amazing thing was that he kept this speed up for what seemed to be almost an hour without missing a beat.