THE MOVEMENT

iDRUM was founded by Davidson Elie in the year 2000. iDRUM is a movement designed to present percussion in every part of society like it originated. Percussion was originally used to communicate, inspire, celebrate harvests and rights of passage and much more. iDRUM was born out of admiration for soulful Electronica/House, modern day tribal music. "The iDRUM Movement” has become a primary name in percussion. Heavily influenced by the cultural development of modern tribal music, iDRUM believes in the ancient energy that is percussion and it's relevance in today's world. The Afro Electronic/Elecoustic or Afree music creates its own unique style. The roots of soulful Electronica/House is dance disco, funky, jazz, blues dub reggae, calypso, latin, afro beat, and further back percussion. In a broader sense of concept, artists, not only Afro Percussionists, are combining pre-recorded or electronic instrumentation to live sets and performances (Instrumix or Instrumixing) in many styles of music. Davidson and many of the collective (iDRUM) have performed before or with Greats such as Little Louie Vega (M.A.W.), Mr. Fingers (Larry Heard), Frankie Feliciano, Blaze, Anthony Nicholson, Ron Trent, Theo Parish, Byron Stingily (Ten City), Miguel Migs (Naked Music), Robert Owens, Osunlade, Dennis Ferrer, Joe Clausel, Jazzy Phat Nasties and Bilal. iDRUM was the first official organization to bring the AFREE/INSTRUMIX movement to above ground audiences.

iDRUM is made up of percussionists, instrumentalists, DJs, dancers, spoken word griot and other specializing in many cultural and modern art forms. "iDRUM" is based on the concept of "oneness"; the philosophy of unity amongst all things. In Afro-Caribbean culture, specific to Rastafarianism, the term "I and I" refers to the idea that all people are connected. The idea of oneness is also found in Asian culture through Zen Buddhism. These are two major influences leading to the creation of iDRUM. In regard to our logo or symbol, the "i" is also a drum with the sun above it; the drum is strength, wood and earth, while the sun is the energy source.

iDRUM is dedicated to finding, cultivating and sharing the empowering aspects of percussion. Percussion, combined with applied psychology, provides a powerful means of personal growth, managing stress, communicating and community building. "iDRUM EMPOWERMENT" an innovative and new form of corporate training/team building that combines the science of applied psychology via Neuro-Linguistic Programming, visualization techniques, guided imagery and the natural attributes of percussion. Percussion is very powerful because it reminds us of our hearts. The first music you ever heard was your mother’s heart beat; it is an extension of us really.

(iDRUM) DAVIDSON GRAND PERCUSSIONIST

Davidson was born in Roseau, Dominica, in the Caribbean, where he was influenced by the culture and roots of the island. African, Carib, French and British influences make up Dominica's culture. Most of Davidson's adolescence was spent in Toronto, Canada, with visits to Dominica. With Toronto's budding multiculturalism, it was a perfect time and place for the mixing of cultural experiences. The soulful electronic/house scene in its golden era of the mid to late 80's to the early 90's was a major influence reminiscent in some ways of a cross between the Harlem Renaissance and the Disco era. At this time Davidson was examining Afro Caribbean history and Rastafari. Davidson also began studying and training in Akido Martial Arts (a Japanese art form based on Samurai Culture, which is strongly connected to Zen Buddhism). The fusion of these ideas created “The iDRUM Movement”. It was officially after 4 years of training with Afro Caribbean Cultural Specialist Keith Pascall that iDRUM began.

As the leader/founder of iDRUM, leading percussionist in the genre/performance type "AFREE/INSTURMIXING" and because of Davidson’s uncanny ability to create powerful rhythms using primarily the Djembe the term "Grand Percussionist" is Davidson's official title.