Skid Row 2021 Community Resource Fair. An Empowering and healing day full of resources, music, and stories. Street Symphony and Ase Ashe Drummers from the Heart came out to awaken and entertain the community with music by presenting our live drumming ensemble for the event. From an “earlier blog.” Ase Ashe Drummers from the Heart earlier that day “Papa” Diarra Zumana said, “Let us do one more song!”
Later that day, I played my drum with the Street Symphony quartet (we have not created a name yet). The quartet members are Dustin Seo, Philip Graulty, Duane Garcia, and myself Raymond Lewis. A couple of weeks back, we met up at the Skid Row Art Museum and came up with some song we all vibe with. I enjoy practicing with this group, and learning different techniques, playing with different instruments and genres of music with a Djembe drum. The drum accompaniments speaks softly in this music, keeping time is the bottom line in rhythm, I deeply enjoy creating music with any instrument it is a meditation in it self. All is rhythm, do you remember the song from back in the days called, “The Art of Noise?”
Duane Garcia (standing) is our lead singer and guitarist – he is just like the Energizer Bunny – full of energy, wisdom, songs, and music history. We going to hang out more so that we can get in some of those Energizer Bunny practice sessions. Philip Graulty is playing the baby blue guitar with the cool hat; it just so happened, a couple years back, I played with Phil at another event, I been waiting to play with him again… and here we are! I was always fascinated how he make that guitar talk and sing. I will be seeing you soon Philip!
Dustin Seo (he is the celloist). Our friendship grows continuously, and now communicate with our instruments on a whole different level that somehow brought this ensemble together. I am looking forward for more practices and shows with Street Symphony where re-entry, renewal, recovery, and relationships empowers the musicians and community. "Take a listen"
