“Beat! Beat! Drums!” wrote Walt Whitman, and the sentiment still echoes today in the sounds of modern percussionists and ensembles that center the drum as both heartbeat and compass. Across genres, nations, and styles, drummers are shaping musical landscapes, pushing boundaries, and carrying traditions forward while infusing them with contemporary energy.
Among the most notable is the London-based quintet Ezra Collective, led by the dynamic and versatile Femi Koleoso. Having studied under the legendary Nigerian drummer Tony Allen, Koleoso brings a unique blend of Afrobeat, jazz, Caribbean rhythms, and hip hop into the band’s repertoire. Their track “No Confusion” features not only this rich mix of styles but also includes a recorded conversation with Allen himself, highlighting the mentor’s enduring influence on Koleoso’s sound.
In a similar spirit of fusion and innovation, the trio Nite Bjuti offers an Afro-Caribbean soundscape that merges voice, bass, electro percussion, Haitian drums, turntables, dance, and visuals. Composed of vocalist Candice Hoyes, percussionist and Grammy winner Val Jeanty, and bassist Mimi Jones, their improvisational energy shines on “Mood (Liberation Walk)”, the opening piece from their self-titled debut album. Their music stands at the intersection of tradition and experimentation.
Chicago-based drummer Makaya McCraven also exemplifies this meeting point of structure and spontaneity. His 2022 release In These Times, a meticulously crafted 11-song suite developed over seven years, showcases his innovative process of shaping free improvisation into coherent, flowing compositions. The track “High Fives” is particularly notable for its rhythmic complexity and appeal to fellow drumming enthusiasts.
Brooklyn-based drummer and producer Kassa Overall, originally from Seattle, adds another vibrant voice to this percussive tapestry. His 2023 album Animals includes collaborations with artists such as Danny Brown, Shabazz Palaces, Wiki, Laura Mvula, Lil B, Francis and the Lights, Nick Hakim, and Vijay Iyer, the latter of whom appears on “The Score Was Made”. Overall’s work traverses jazz, hip hop, and experimental genres, underscoring his reputation as a musical boundary-pusher.
Experimental sounds also surface in Flock, a spontaneous collaboration between forward-thinking London musicians including Bex Burch (Vula Viel), Sarathy Korwar, Dan “Danalogue” Leavers (of Soccer96 and The Comet Is Coming), Al MacSween (Maisha), and Tamar Osborn (Collocutor). Their collective improvisation reflects a growing trend in jazz and electronic scenes, blending diverse instruments and cultural backgrounds into an unrepeatable experience.
Adding to this celebration of rhythm is a piece titled “Good Hope,” performed by the legendary bassist Dave Holland, tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, and saxophonist Chris Potter. The trio’s synergy exemplifies the power of cross-genre and cross-cultural collaboration, melding jazz improvisation with classical Indian percussion in a fluid, expressive dialogue.
These artists, each in their own way, underscore the enduring, evolving significance of the drum in contemporary music. From the street beats of Afro-Caribbean ensembles to the meditative intricacies of tabla and jazz fusion, drums continue to command attention—not just as accompaniment, but as a central force driving sound forward.
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