Come see world’s best drummers, percussionists at RWMF 2012

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BEATING THE SAME BEAT: Though the drums are of different varieties, performers from different nationalities jointly perform during a special musical workshop at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RMWF) yesterday to symbolise that music is indeed universal. — Photo by Mohd Rais Sanusi

KUCHING: Ten of the world’s best drummers and percussionists gathered at Dewan Lagenda for the first day of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2012 workshop yesterday.

The assemble comprised Diplomats of Drum from Malaysia, Danyel Waro (Reunion Islands), Mamadou Diabate’s Percussion Mania (Burkina Faso), Le Trio Joubran (Palestine), Chungho Park from the band Hata and Martin Cech of Cankisou.

Led by Rav and Shavin from the Diplomats of Drum, it only took them 10 beats to draw a huge crowd for an electrifying 30-minute performance.

Making an appearance at the workshop was Zee Avi for the opener and Flirt the Brazilian Way by the band Raiz De Cafezal, led by Fagner Da Silva.

In the second workshop held at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) amphitheatre, the opener was a matinee showcase of Samuel J Dass and Prakash Kandasamy in concert followed by Six Of The Best Guitars. Band Kanda Bongo Man played the rhumba with support from Fabian Guiloteau of La Zikabilo and Tore Bruvoll from the String Sisters.

Abdul Karim from the Diplomats of Drum appeared at the workshop in ‘Heartbeats of South East Asia’ to compare the rhythms of the Malays and people from other Asean countries.

It was a little downbeat at the Iban longhouse with workshops titled ‘Exotic and Evocative’ performed by band members from Khusugtun and Hata. The second session was performed by String Sisters’ Khusugtun and Hata while SCV dancers wrapped it up with an interactive Iban and Malay dance workshop.