The Drums of Planet Drum:
A closer look at the tools of rhythm

As its name implies, Mickey Hart's global percussion showcase Planet Drum is an ecstatic confluence of world rhythms. In this week's SFJAZZ E-news, we take a look at the fascinating instruments that will propel the beat at the Masonic Auditorium on Sept 23.

Talking Drum
What Westerners dub the "talking drum" is actually identified by various names in African dialects. Most commonly referred to as a tama, dundun, or gangan, the hourglass shaped instrument is usually slung over the shoulder and beaten with a crooked stick. Two drumheads, one on each end, are held together with leather or string straps which, when squeezed, vary the tension of the drumheads. It is this tonal variation that produces the "talking" effect, one mastered by Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju, whom Mickey Hart has called “the Mozart of the Talking Drum.”

Congas
The conga also has its roots in Africa, but is better known as a keystone of the Afro-Cuban sound. The long tapered drums, known as tumbadora in their native Cuba, feature slight variations in diameter that produce a range of pitches and accents. When played by the authoritative palms and fingers of a maestro like Planet Drum's Giovanni Hidalgo, the large, deep tumba, the middle-sized rhythmic conga, and the smaller, tuneful quinto produce an infinite variety of timbres and textures. Check out videos of Giovanni Hidalgo soloing on the congas on Drummerworld.com

Tabla
Another hand-played instrument from further east, the tabla consists of a pair of drums: the more melodic right-hand dahina and the left-hand bayan, which produces the instrument's trademark plunging bass notes. With a tradition dating back to the 18th century, classical tabla music is divided into six main schools, or gharana, each named for their geographical roots and each with its own repertoire and technique. Zakir Hussain, a master of the Punjab gharana, has long sought to expand the instruments reach outside of traditional Indian music, working with musicians as diverse as saxophonist Charles Lloyd guitarists George Harrison and John McLaughlin. Check out videos of Zakir Hussain on YouTube.com

Mickey Hart

Though Planet Drum's founder Mickey Hart is probably best known for his drumming for legendary rock band the Grateful Dead, he has long explored the boundaries of rhythm with such diverse instruments as the bow-shaped Brazilian berimbau, African djembe (pictured left), Afro-Cuban timbales, and more traditional trap sets, backing up the San Francisco Chronicle's claim that Hart is "one of the most influential champions of world music" (San Francisco Chronicle).

Planet Drum Saturday, September 23 • 8pm Masonic Center

Jazzlife By William Claxton and Joachim E. Berendt Taschen. 338 pages. $200.

Jazzlife: A large-scale portrait of jazz at mid-century.

It began as a loosely planned road trip to capture the state of jazz in America in 1960. But over time Jazzlife, the document of photographer William Claxton and German jazz writer Joachim E. Berendt's travels, has attained a much deeper significance. What might have been simply an anthology of Claxton's exceptional jazz portraits matured into a sociological document of America. Zigzagging from New Orleans to Los Angeles and New York City, and snapping classic images of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Ornette Coleman, and Charles Mingus, the photographer and writer encapsulated a unique historical moment.

Initially published in Germany in 1961, and out of print for over 40 years, the original Jazzlife was highly sought after by collectors. This remarkable reprint is more of a restoration, with the addition of Claxton's color photos, as well as many black and white images left out of the first edition. The large format of the book (it weighs roughly 18 pounds, and measures 11" x 18") and high quality of the 700 pages reveal the finest details of Claxton's photos and gives the whole affair a monumental feel. There's even a CD of recordings made by Berendt along the trip.

With a price befitting its epic size and scope, this isn't a casual bedtime read. But for those with a profound interest in jazz and American history—and with a sturdy coffee table to proudly display the tome—Jazzlife will bestow pleasure for years to come.

More on Jazzlife: by William Claxton:
Listen to author William Claxton on WNYC’s "The Leonard Lopate Show"
Buy Book on Amazon.com