website: www.foundsounds.com
Liner notes about each song:
Under the Piano: as a young child my musical journey was shaped by lying under the piano as my mom, a concert pianist, rehearsed.
Off The Page: until I received my first djembe, all music I played was written on the page. The djembe taught me deeply about musical inspiration.
East Rock: a meditation of a well-loved cliff on Star Island overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Courage: written for my student Za. I taught this rhythm to my class and we played for hours the night before an important surgery filling her with courage and support.
Peace Pagoda: while studying drumming in Brasil, I met a man on a bus who wrote the words to a chant on a piece of paper. “Say this every day and you will have a good life”, he told me. I was on my way to see Filhos de Gandhy, a samba group influenced by Ghandi. Months later, I was at the Peace Pagoda in Leverett MA and recognized the monks chant from Brasil… and listened as they described the work of their tradition as influenced by Ghandi as well. This piece is a “Buddha Samba”, a celebration of the convergence of these three lands and their work.
The Long Haul: inspired by the book The Long Haul by Miles Horton and his approach to a long life working for social justice.
Reprise: giving thanks… : to everyone, including all my mentors.
Reviews so far:
“Deep and profound.”
“So full of wordless emotion.”
“Mystical.”
“It is a meditation.”
“I’d love to work out to that!”
“I’d love to listen to it while I settle into my new apartment.”
“The whole CD is like a journey.”
“So beautiful.”
“So listenable for a whole CD of drumming. So melodic.”
About Ellen Clegg
Born with music in her blood, Ellen Clegg has been immersed in drumming and rhythm since the age of five. Her journey has involved training at Oberlin College and from traditional drummers in rhythmic traditions from across the globe. These include djembe from West Africa, steel drum (pan) from Trinidad, multiple percussion from Bahia Brazil, taiko from Japan, doumbek from the Middle East, and drum set, timpani, and marimba from Europe and the US. Her teachers have included Rosemary Small, Twa Mercer of Trinidad, Edwina Lee Tyler, Ubaka Hill, Layne Redmond, Raquy Danzinger, and drummers of the Ballet Folklorica de Brasil while studying in Salvador Bahia Brazil. She is currently studying with Master Drummer Valerie Naranjo (www.mandaramusic.com). Studying these various traditions fuel her desire for understanding culture, community, social justice, and the role of drummers in culture since the birth of rhythm.
She developed skills as a facilitator, educator, and certified mediator while earning an MS in Enviromental Education from the Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University, after earning a BS in Psychology. She currently studies the biological, psychological, and neurological effects of rhythm and drumming on the health of individuals and community as well as the historical role of drummers in various cultures, relating both to her work in today’s world.
Through the work of FOUND SOUNDS, Ellen Clegg unites her passion, skills, and training as a percussionist, facilitator, educator, and performer. She believes in the power of rhythm and drumming, present in all aspects of the world around us, to develop community, to build communication, to find strength in our differences, to nourish health, and ultimately to inspire hope for a healthy and sustainable future.
Thank You's from the liner notes:
Ellen would like to thank…
Angel, for your endless love and support, for challenging me to grow, for loving me every step of the way on this life journey together. Mom, for your gift of passionate musicianship. Dad, for my first djembe, for your ever-present love, and for always supporting me. Karen, for your generosity, design expertise, and love. Jill, for the gift of your work, creativity, steady presence and care. Terri, for inspiring me to harmonize with what is, improvise, and trust in what I know. Jennifer, for challenging me to put myself out there. Lucia, for bringing such joy, laughter, and love to my life.
And thank you, Valerie Naranjo, for your generosity, your inspiring music, gracious spirit, and for being the teacher I’ve been seeking for so many years. Many thanks to all the musicians and traditions who have gifted me through their inspiration. All I create builds upon all your work and wisdom. Deep gratitude to Spirit for the music.
… and Thank you to the listeners who make the rhythm complete.
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