One Drum by One Drum

The unifying element amongst One Drum's diverse musical forms is the positive spirit and inclusiveness. This inclusive spirit comes from appreciation of the "oneness" of global musical cultures and from the drum, an instrument found the world over. Drums have their own languages, and virtually every One Drum song is built upon the wooden, ceramic and metallic foundation of drum talk. A deep and interactive conversation occurs at every One Drum concert, the outcome of which is uncertain. What is known is that participants are transformed forever.

One Drum's groove bubbles up from below; it's not trickle down. Rhythm infuses everything, but not at the expense of melody or songs. All eight musicians sing and play a variety of instruments. Edirisinghe plays bass, guitars and djun-djun. Finlayson plays djembe, congas, mbira and flutes. Green plays guitars, oud and darbouka. Haebig plays a wide range of flutes and percussion. Negrón plays congas and timbales. Pabón plays congas, didgeridoo, berimbau and trumpet. Schmid plays violin, viola and mandolin. Stocker plays guitar, charango and flutes.

One Drum members are multicultural and multitalented. At a recent concert, Green - known as "Doc" because he's an M.D. - was interrupted mid-lyric to assist a skateboarder who broke his arm. Edirisinghe, a first-generation Sri Lankan-Russian immigrant, is a multi-linguist, graphic artist and the group's web master. Finlayson is a veteran of Ko-Thi, a renowned African dance company, and like Haebig a practitioner of the healing arts. Pabón is a skilled drum maker forever on the lookout for a great piece of willow or black walnut. Negrón, known as "C-Lo," is a hot conguero and veteran break-dance and hip-hop artist. Stocker is Artist-in-Residence with the Illinois Arts Council and coined the title "Around the World in Fifty Minutes" for the group's school presentations. He also owns the group's Little Bus That Could. Haebig is trained in myriad healing techniques, including massage and myofascial release. Negrón, Pabón and Schmid speak Spanish (Pabón and Negrón share Puerto Rican heritage). Schmid is a veteran freelance musician and writer for diverse publications. Finlayson and Stocker speak French. Edirisinghe and Pabón are practitioners of capoeira, a unique combination of dance, music and martial arts from Brazil. All eight members of One Drum frequently share their talents recording, teaching and performing solo and with others in the group's extended musical family. Beyond written words, only the ear can know.

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