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I have derived so much peace and joy from playing kalimba, and I would like to share that peace and joy with everyone!
I started out alone in a desert. In Socorro, NM, I was the only person I knew who played kalimba. I used to go walk into the canyons and foothills with my kalimba, making a joyful noise to the universe, the sounds of the tines echoing and reverberating in the canyon walls. The canyon was like a womb, taking me in, letting me grow, nourishing me and my music. And that music really came to life. I didn't quite know what to do with that music. More than one person told me that the kalimba was a toy, that my calling was not worthy of following. But I could see a buried treasure, and I continued to dig for the gold.
Last year, I had a waking dream. I had a vision of a million people playing the kalimba and putting out the good vibes to the people around them. I had a vision of people deriving peace from this instrument and sharing their joy with their family, friends, and neighbors. There is so much in this world that is so messed up that one sometimes wonders what one can do to help. But now I know what I can do. This vision gives me purpose and inspires me to write music and books, to teach friends and strangers about the kalimba. Now, the kalimba music is really flowing out into the world. And I've realized that I can't expect the world to just know what it has taken me 20 years to learn. So, I am starting at the source, at a simple place where people can get it and succeed. And they are getting it. They are understanding that this is something fundamentally new -- even though the kalimba is an instrument of ancient heritage, or maybe even because this instrument is of ancient heritage, it offers something totally new to people in this time and place: a chance to put aside the trials of the day, a chance to use your mind in a new and unique manner, a chance to walk a new path and carve a new stream. A chance to incubate a spirit of joy and wonder and beauty and peace in your heart.
The Advanced Kalimba Klub, shown here in the studios of KXCI on our first live radio broadcast. The Kalimba Klub is, from the left, Geo Mellville, Jordan McGary, honorary member Matt Moon in the back, Deb Driskill with the wave, Mark Holdaway, Glen Davis, and Jim Gates holding the camera. The rest of these beautiful photos were taken by Glen Davis. Glen goes out into the wild places with his kalimba and finds peace and wonder. Do YOU have a story to tell about the kalimba? Email me your story! Take care, |
