Frame drummer Glen Velez has rhythm in his soul

By Dave Howell, Special to The Morning Call

It's jazz and world music, contemporary and ancient, intellectually challenging and engages deep emotions.

The Ta Ka Di Mi Project, coming to Lafayette College on Sunday, April 15, is centered on percussionist Glen Velez, a five-time Grammy winner known for his work with frame drums, and his wife,vocalist Lori Cotler.

The concert, rescheduled from February after Velez had a minor health emergency, will be an unusual listening experience. There will be improvisation based around jazz compositions, with sensitive interaction among the musicians. And there will be virtuosic playing — Velez's percussion solos on his drum, a single-sided instrument, are astounding. It will differ from standard jazz, however, by having an intricate tapestry of percussive patterns instead of variations based around songs and melodies.

In a phone conversation from his home in Montclair, N.J., Velez explains that in our European-based culture, rhythm becomes simpler as musical arrangements become more complex. "Western-based music is melodic and harmonic. We have chosen the harmonic component of our music, so the rhythm is more repetitive," he says. "It's all how you want to split up the pie." The Ta Ka Di Mi Project brings percussion to the forefront.

Although drums have been used all over the world, including Europe, the West does not have the tradition of rich polyrhythms found in African and other traditions. "We don't use drums ceremonially, or have rituals where drums are involved," says Velez. "They are not used for inducing trances or connected with the spiritual world. We have moved away from the spiritual and our connection with our inner selves."

Drums have been used throughout history for much more than music. "The drum can be a healing tool," says Velez. "That is something we have just started to explore. It can stimulate or relax us, and affect different parts of the body."

Velez will be joined at Lafayette by frame drummers Shane Shanahan and Yousif Sheronick, and Indian flute player V.K. Raman. There will be 10 or 20 drums onstage, and Raman will use three flutes for high, medium and low notes. The drums will have varying pitches that at times provide drone effects, and Velez says they will sometimes create melodies.

As many jazz artists do, Velez works to create a timeless experience when he plays. "There is a peak feeling with no thought going on. Before and after the show it is great, but onstage, the less thinking, the better."

Read more on: http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/mc-glen-velez-lafayette-college-20120412,0,2183391.story