The Drum -  A pulsating voice that speaks to generations

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As we end this year’s observance of International Drumming Month (May), we are called to honour the instrument that has carried our story across centuries - the drum; the heartbeat of our ancestral journey, our music, and our culture. 

From the first rhythms brought across the Middle Passage to the global stages where Jamaican music now commands respect, the drum has been our compass, our memory, and our declaration of identity.

This also invites us to celebrate the extraordinary Jamaican drummers both present and past, some whose names may not be as well known to our youth, but their genius has shaped our sound across every genre around the globe. These cultural architects spanning ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall, Nyabinghi, and fusion have carried the sacred responsibility of rhythm. Through performance, mentorship, and innovation, they preserved the drum as a vessel of history connecting, spirituality, and national pride in the rhythm of our island home and country.

Among these giants stands Maestro William ‘Willie’ Stewart, member of the legendary Third World Band. His life’s work affirms that music is transformation. Through his drumming programme children shine bright and, through their surrounding communities, have discovered confidence, discipline, and purpose through the drum. 

Through performance, we can honour our own and are given the opportunity to carry a special resonance, most recently to our musical icons who have recently transitioned Jimmy Cliff, Sly Dunbar, Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, and Ernie Smith. Their spirits were lifted through the drums and voices at the Rhythms of Africa performance internationally, with the iconic voices of Gem Myers, JC Lodge, and Richie Stephens, reminding us that legacy is not lost; it is passed on.

Maestro Stewart’s renewed anthem, Have a Little Faith, continues this mission. Through this drummer, a call to every artiste who lends their voice, the message remains clear: Faith must guide us forward as we rebuild, uplift, and protect our people, our communities and our country.

The drum is a teacher, a healer, and a keeper of memory. Today, it is also a bridge connecting our youth to their heritage, strengthening educational performance, and cultivating national pride. Music education is not extra-curricular; it is the tool of cultural transfer, identity formation, and a pathway to excellence.

PATRICK BROWN 

Pembroke Pines, Florida

Pbrown_436@yahoo.com