Beat 'n' Drum
Damian Mills writes about BEAT’s own percussion band.
History
Beat'n'Drum was created after a 6 week workshop season preparing for the 2004 St Patrick's Day Parade in Downpatrick. A core group of locals and blow-ins created a good atmosphere that all newcomers to the subsequent workshop programme enjoyed, allowing everyone to learn samba percussion and Boomdang drumming in an enjoyable and creative atmosphere. Led by Damian Mills, the BEAT ensured that both he and the band got ample training opportunities from some of Europe's finest teachers and trainers. Such artists as Dan Fox, Dudu Tucci, Moleque De Rua, Simeon Smith and now Niall Gregory have helped develop the band to be one of Ireland's top percussion groups, if not the best community samba outfit.
Through the BEAT's leader training courses and through the development of the band over the years, the members of the Band now develop music for other agencies as well as through the BEAT showing the success of this project. Members and ex-members of the band play for Streetwise samba, Bloco x (top European samba bloco), Maracatu Estrella do Norte and Eri Okan in London.
Performances
St Patrick's Day Downpatrick 2004, 2007: Belfast 2005, 2006, 2007.
Belfast City Carnival 2005-2008
BrxlBravo Festival, Belgium 2006 (Boomdang Drums)
East Belfast Lantern Parade 2004-2008.
Notting Hill Carnival 2007
Electric Picnic 2008
Current News
Ongoing training by the BEAT has seen Moleque De Rua from Brasil/France give a whirlwind training session aimed at the medium to advanced level of drumming. A funky samba later and members of BeatnDrum and our friends from Bologna
Projects now ongoing include the integration of a dance troop to Beat'n'Drum to add a visual element to our performances. Music to be played with this will be a hybrid of Boomdang styles and Samba instruments to produce a Reggae, Afrobeat feel to the rhythms, to celebrate St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, Nigeria and Montserrat in the Caribbean.
Styles of Music
Samba is the most renowned form of Brasilian drumming in Ireland. With roots in Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo the Irish term for a samba band encompasses music from all over the south American continent, as played on these drums from Rio.
Boomdang is a contemporary drum form with influences from Indian Dhol music and Brasilian styles. Played on light double ended drums, these Boomdang drums are loud and funky as the two notes played by each drum, and "toys" (cymbals, high hats and bells clamped to the drum) means that there is a wide range of sounds a group can get from this equipment. They are colourful drums, look great and sound great when played.
Maracatu comes from North East Brazil. Played on traditional equipment that is not too dis-similar to the drums played in Northern Ireland 400 years ago, the music is infectious and funky with roots in traditional rhythms of Africa and the hand drumming of Brasil.
Afoxe
Another North-eastern Rhythm from Brasil, Niall Gregory is taking these Monday sessions. Aimed at the intermediate and advanced drummers within Beat'n'Drum and outside the group, Niall aims to develop skills and techniques of hand percussion from Brasil, Cuba and West Africa within the Afoxe umbrella.
Tutors
Damian Mills
Damian is the main tutor for Beat'n'Drum. He learned his trade with the BEAT initiative back in the early 90's with the Belfast Carnival Band. He has worked as a teacher and musician since 2000 developing Samba in Northern Ireland. He has developed strong skills in teaching people of all ages and abilities. Damian has also been trained and collaborated with drummers from across Ireland, Europe and Brazil. Most recently spending 9 weeks in Brazil during the carnival season.
Niall Gregory
Niall's drumming career began in 1990. He has worked with and been trained by some of the most renowned artists in this field including Dudu Tucci and Ravin Jayasuriya. He has developed expertise in Brazilian, Cuban and fusion styles of drumming. He has toured across Europe and America with the acclaimed band Dead Can Dance while also recording and performing across Ireland with Cahchimbo and Mukeka Bossa. Niall has extensive experience in teaching and facilitating drumming with all ages for varied performances and large scale productions including writing original score and visual design.
Matt Vernon
Matt is a central figure in keeping Beat'n'Drum producing quality output. A keen percussionist he projects a good energy, is pro-active in the musical and social development of the band and works hard in producing new material and research for the group. Matt also has starting drum construction and is looking forward to creating lots of quality equipment for Beat'n'Drum and it's members.
Training Opportunities
Recent and past training opportunities organised by the BEAT and it's members.
Thursdays at the "Old Beat" 9-11 Ballymacarrett Road Belfast BT4 1BT.
6-8pm - Ongoing Free workshops aimed at developing Beat'n'Drum activities for the Belfast Carnival and other events. There is no payment for these workshops just require a commitment from attendees to attend the Beat's Carnival performances. We will be producing Samba rhythms and Boom Dang Rhythms. If you attend these workshops regularly and show commitment and promise you would be considered in other projects and performances the BEAT produce.
Mondays at the Beat's Belfast Carnival Centre 11-47 Boyd Street Millfield Belfast BT13 2GU.
Mondays at the BEAT by Niall Gregory, is aimed at intermediate to advanced musicians seeking to develop their hand percussion skills and techniques. Niall is probably Ireland's finest Cuban percussionist and has an extensive knowledge and is keen to develop conga drum skills and rhythm knowledge in the BEAT.
One off and special workshops:
Moleque De Rua, Samba Band from Sao Paulo. Belfast 2006/7/8
Sligo Monobloco workshops.
Nantes Encontro for Maracatu.
Notting Hill Maracatu and Afro-Reggae workshops.
Dan Fox, Boom Dang Drums. June 2005.