World of Rhythm explodes at children's festival

Dancing sticks. Clapping palms. Booming drums. Drums United’s World of Rhythm is riveting percussion at its finest.

A blend of funky, lyrical and electronic, it straddles continents and overcomes language barriers. Perfectly tuned, the constant motion is coming to St. Albert’s International Children’s Festival May 28 to June 1. It’s the company’s fourth visit to Canada, but the first to the children’s festival.

Drums United is made up of eight percussionists from seven different countries such as Bangladesh, Senegal, Germany, the Netherlands, Surinam, Columbia and Venezuela.

Each drummer is technically superb, and as a cohesive unit they contribute a vast number of world influences into carefully crafted, energetic rhythms.

The brainchild of Netherlands master drummer Lucas Van Merwijk, the Dutch supergroup started as a bit of fun in 2000. Van Merwijk received an invitation to perform in Dusseldorf, Germany at the Herbstspiel (Autumn Sports Fest).

Throwing together a flamenco dancer, talking drum player, several percussionists and a DJ, the multi-ethnic motley crew had one rehearsal before going onstage.

“The reaction was so enthusiastic, I was stunned,” said Van Merwijk in an interview from Tennessee where Drums United is on a month-long tour of North America.

Over numerous years he recruited stellar players, including Senegal’s talking drum master Pape Thiam and percussionist MoussĂ© Path; Venezuela’s crack percussionist Marco Toro; Dutch electronic drummer and DJ Mathias Holzner, and his own vocalist-instrumentalist daughter Gianna Tam.

“Right from the beginning, people loved the different nationalities on stage,” said Van Merwijk commenting on the group’s ongoing popularity.

The first throw-together show created its electric vibe from an improvised, experimental format in which players mainly jammed.

“Due to a lot of theatre shows, it’s become a lot more slick. To keep people’s attention – I found people can lose their concentration quickly – it’s become much faster. It’s a more fun and entertaining show. And that makes it work everywhere we play,” Van Merwijk said.

He’s found that everyone, especially children, react strongly to the rhythms.

“It’s the first thing people react to. It’s like the heartbeat. Wherever we go, people feel it. Language is harder, but rhythm – everybody feels it.”

Flying in with certain portable drums and percussion pieces, renting others, the group introduces a smattering of instruments ranging from the tabla and djembe to the cajon and talking drums.

“Come if you want to have a great night of musical energy and enjoy a wonderful spectacle,” Van Merwijk said. “You will feel better when you leave.”