Grateful Dead

As Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart has shown, the beauty of pulse and movement and vibration can and will cure. Polyrhythmic vines that entwine; mapping the Inner Realm through strange incantation. Stick on Skin, limbs that bind; our hearts joined in the Group Mind. Improvisatory language that bypasses self-conscious thought, reverberations like Manna from Heaven; communion with the presence of No-Mind.Entering the molecules and Healing. Storytelling and Therapy. Spontaneous synchronicity, respiration and holistic mapping of blood pressure and explicit Light. Illumination to stave off myocardial infarctions, melodic medication by loose-limbed harmony. A vibrant Flow, detached from the safe shore, carrying us up to the many Realms. Holographic visions, glowing forth in wondrous display; an arm outstretched in difficult times, floating all who allow themselves to succumb. From the parking lot to stage left; from the imagination to stage right. From simple curiosity to the swirling vortex of a personal journey. Dark and frightening flecked with light and warmth. From the concrete palace to the desert sands; Minneapolis to Morocco; walls rippling blue, wind and moonlight strafing blissful Heads; Nomadic knowing; Tuareg brothers in Hash-Mind. Camel's feet tapping granules of gold. a Universal becoming. Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart a given. and fellow travelers through humble recommendation... Milford Graves, Susie Ibarra, Roy Haynes, Vernel Fournier, Max Roach, Earl "Buster" Smith, Elvin Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Rashied Ali, Sunny Murray, Andrew Cyrille, Famadou Don Moye, Clifford Jarvis, Denis Charles, Jean-Paul Gaster, Jaimoe, Shoji Hano, Tatsuya Yoshida, Bill Bruford, Butch Trucks, Joe Morello, John Stevens, Junzo Tateiwa, Rich Hoak, Jimmy Carl Black, Ches Smith, Levon Helm, Danny Heifetz, Art Blakey, Ben Riley, John Bonham, Chris Corsano, Nana Vasconcelos, Barrett Martin, Mick Harris, Steve Shelley, Airto Moreira, Pete Sandoval, John "Drumbo" French, Zigaboo Modeliste, Tim Alexander, Yoshimi P-We, Ringo Starr, Brain Mantia, Jack DeJohnette, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clarke, Earl Palmer and the thousands who continue to elevate, inspire, bloom and refract. Many missed, a snapshot; too many in the Dead orbit which some may already know. Others less so. Who touch you?

Apart from Susie Ibarra that is, second on the list!!! I don't know why it seems a predominantly "male" instrument; i am without answer too! I'm certain there are many, many women who play. But as for more "mainstream acceptance", i regret i'm at a a loss. For me, Susie Ibarra is one of the deepest inspirations for me; ever since seeing her perform with David S. Ware in London i was transfixed. Incredible touch and sensitivity; beautiful melodicism. See here for examples of her playing - Electric Kulintang - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9QiaRpHeyk Electric Kulintang - http://vimeo.com/23933340 Song Of The Bird King - http://vimeo.com/6325014 Three clips solo - http://www.vicfirth.com/artists/ibarra.php In collaboration with Makoto Fujimara - Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxlhWtBJnZ8 Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEyg14oEl98&feature=related Ibarra Quartet with Makoto Fujimara - Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJLjI1KEZDM Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn3Egwoo7Ew&feature=related With the equally inspirational (and personal favourite), Ikue Mori and Sylvie Courvoisier - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMOkQLHiWaE She really changed my drumming life; along with Bill and Mickey, Susie is a continuous source of inspiration. http://www.susieibarra.com/

Bill Kreutzmann tells it like he sees it; may many Heads take note.

JP lays it down.

the sasquatch cheech and amiable chong sheds light...

English reluctance and all the better for it.

Susie Ibarra.to preserve with film and music, indigenous music and ecology.

Song of the Bird King - Trailer by Song of the Bird King, LLC from Song of the Bird King on Vimeo.

Gino Robair. needed for Occupy. change the course. bend the source. let the people play the city.

Haino Keiji -

my pleasure!i was rather hoping this topic would be tapped into by Heads sharing their drumming stories, parking lot circles and musical epiphanies. but seems to be mainly me posting vibrations that move the air around myself. i'll keep posting nonetheless. if i reach one it's successful in my eyes!

an astonishing performance from the mighty Max Roach with Abbey Lincoln -

Milford Graves.drummer, percussionist, herbalist, healer. Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Min Tanaka Butoh Pulse -

sweet little interview with Bill. may he continue forever. http://www.jambands.com/features/2012/01/21/bill-kreutzmann-fulfilling-…

absolutely mary!chemistry blossomed during the "Garcia" album, just Jerry and Bill, no doubt. such atmosphere on that record. relaxed and happenin'! are there any tapes of that '80's tenure circulating?

sounds good mary! well, apart from the unnecessary argument on there!!!!i must track that down. Bill really seems to have found a new inspiration. i'm so happy for him. whenever you see or read an interview with him these last few years he positively bubbles with enthusiasm. it's quite infectious. was watching again his performance with String Cheese back in 2002 at the Fillmore in Denver, Colorado. his eyes were lit up with the joy of playing. (could've been something else, of course...!!!). definitely the right move for him to Hawaii; a wonderful calming effect is in evidence. the music really seems to flow through him once again. magical. and great news about BK3 reuniting for Jungle Jam. just wish i could see it.

from a full length film apparently. not sure if it was ever completed or released. fingers crossed the footage materialises soon!!!! Mickey Hart -

Part 1 - Part 2 -

universal vibration in trap kit form.three of the best. Al Foster. Jack DeJohnette. Billy Higgins. and those musicians!!!!! Sonny Rollins, David Murray, Julius Hemphill, Roy Campbell, Marty Ehrlich, Wilbur Morris.... what ears were made for. but the drums pulse sweetly and glow in the light.

Percussionists Sylwia Zytynska and Fritz Hauser at Zwei Tage Zeit festival of improvised music at the Theater Rigiblick in Zurich. Filmed by Helen Petts on the 20th January 2012.

not to mention the exquisite Wadada Leo Smith.Filmed by Helen Petts at Freedom of the City Festival 2010. London.

Milford Graves and William Parker. one two

with Jackie McLean, Bobby Hutcherson and Herbie Lewis. one of the great drummers of all time.

such feel such soul.

my heart feels broken.a piece of me died today.

shining new light in the improvisational universe. with DJ Baku and another inspirational drummer, Muneomi Senju. and, return.

hugely inspirational drummer. played with some of the most creative artists in music such as the mighty Cecil Taylor, Butch Morris, Marilyn Crispell, David Murray, Irène Schweizer, Carla Bley, Billy Bang, Anthony Braxton, Marion Brown, Leroy Jenkins and many more.

Roulette TV: ANDREW CYRILLE from Roulette Intermedium on Vimeo.