In Memory of Michael Jackson, a man with rhythm in his body and soul (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)

Babatunde Olatunji

The Creator wants us to Drum. (God) wants us to corrupt the world with drums, dance, and chants. We've already corrupted the world with power and greed, which has gotten us nowhere. Now's the time to corrupt the world with drum, dance, and chants.

Evelyn Glennie

“Hearing is a form of touch. I hear it through the body, by opening myself up. Sometimes it almost hits you in the face.”

Mark Taylor on polyrhythmic sensibility in the churches

A polyrhythmic sensibility in the churches honors the drum. Honoring the drum will often mean bringing the drum back into those worship settings from which it has been excluded…If we are ever to discover the fully effective Word where Spirit enlivens a Rhythm Word, then we need to begin with the drum’s re-entry into our places of worship.----Mark Taylor, professor of theology and culture, Princeton Theological Seminary.

Cherokee on drumming

Drums are a dream arisen,
Weaving the tapestry of life.
Drums bear seekers of vision,
Embracing the rainbow of light.
---Cherokee

Lionel Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002)

Seemed to me that drumming was the best way to get close to God.---Lionel Leo Hampton, jazz vibraphonist, drummer, pianist, bandleader

Mickey Hart

For almost as long as I can remember, playing the drum has stimulated certain changes in my consciousness---my body awareness starts to fade, time disappears, instead of blood it feels like some other juice is pumping through my veins.---Mickey Hart, drummer of Grateful Dead.

A song for my Monday mood

Music Connects the World

Drumming for Peace is based on a philosophy of peacemaking and a belief that music and rhythm can bring people together. These videos, produced by Playing for Change demonstrate how music can be an "instrument" of peace that connects people around the world. This is a project based on the idea that music can bring the world together. It all began in Santa Monica, California with a street musician and went around the world adding street artists, singers, and musicians. Playing for Change is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. No matter whether people come from different geographic, political, economic, spiritual or ideological backgrounds, music has the universal power to transcend and unite us as one human race. Check out the website at: http://www.playingforchange.com/