[HD] Tassa Drumming at Caribana 2009 (Hummingbird Tassa Band)

Sweet beats from the Caribbean islands (Trinidad).

Event: Caribana
Location: Toronto
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC TS1
Music: Tassa
Channel: Hummingbird Tassa Band
http://www.youtube.com/user/HummingbirdTassaBand

The Hummingbird Tassa Group was started in Trinidad in 1954. In the following years, the leader, Deo Doon, taught his four sons, Vijay, Danny, Dan, and Suresh, to play the many intricate Tassa rhythms, or hands, as they are called.

This talented family band consistently won every major Tassa competition and was for many years the most sought-after Tassa band in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1989 Vijay immigrated to Toronto and re-created this legendary East Indian band.

The band quickly duplicated the high-quality performances and popularity that it had attained in Trinidad. The Caribbean community in Canada almost unanimously acclaims the Hummingbird Tassa Group as the best of all Tassa bands in Canada.

The band has been a crowd favourite at all Muhtadi International Drumming Festivals and maintains a busy schedule performing at wedding ceremonies, Caribana shows, street festivals, Massala Mehndi, Chinese Lion Dance Theatre, and many other Caribbean and international events.

The scintillating rhythms played by this group are guaranteed to add excitement to any event.

The band recently recorded its first CD which will soon be available in our online store, the Festival Marketplace.

For bookings call: Vijay Doon 905-946-0874 or 647-409-3721.

Email: gjoet@netzero.com

* HISTORY *

The Tassa Ensemble was brought to Trinidad and Tobago from India by indentured labourers in the nineteenth century. The ensemble consists of three drums: the cutter, which is the lead drum that carries the beat or hand; the fuller, which carries the supporting rhythm, maintaining a steady beat without variation; and the bass, providing the heavy booming rhythm. The ensemble is completed by a pair of large brass cymbals called Jhanji. The cutter and fuller are bowl-shaped drums.

The cutter and fuller drums are made of clay and covered with the skin of ram goats. Two pliable sticks, chupas, whose ends are wound with adhesive tape into a strong tapering knot, are used to beat these drums. The bass is barrel-shaped and made of cedar. This too is covered with goat skin, but unlike the others, is beaten at both ends with the hands. The playing surfaces of the bass are about 24 inches in diameter. All drums are strung around the neck with strong cloth.

Originally, Tassa ensembles performed at Hindu weddings and in the Hosay parades of Muhurran-a Muslim religious commemoration of the deaths of the sons of the prophet Mohammed. The public performances of Tassa ensembles have now extended beyond these original functions, as Tassa music has become part of Trinidad and Tobagos popular culture.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hummingbird tassa band
• hummingbird tassa group
• panasonic lumix dmc ts1
• tassa
• caribana 2009
• toronto
• trinidad
• trini

[friendlyguy23]

Ewwww the Guyana flag all over an they cant dance...lmao!!! OMG!

[Sabu743]

its Caribana! in Canada

[moto249]

daz trinidad??????????

[Dholi47]

That sounds like the punjabi chaal! Nice funky rhythem tho

[Navindra12890]

thats a a bad jhal man iono bout the other guys

[chutneyposseorlando]

these guys are flahier than they sound!...lol...the drumming festival one is sick tho!

[codeblutoronto]

Yo im Talking bout gold teeth Navin. yo Link my cell if ya'll wanna talk. Bless

[codeblutoronto]

And Navin my friend, my brother, my lying ass two faced snake. Just stay clear from me. thats all. ithought both ya'll was bigger than that. (stupid fuckin me.)

[codeblutoronto]

oK . sO maybe its timei say something. How bout u step to me big boy. Or i can always POP up. Watch ur mouth with my fam. Or u wont have one to talk with. last warning son. im out. And Btw Jason, the man dem dont even like you,. SOrry

[3nistylez]

How is it funny u Idiot wtf wen i last checked u fukin play plastic since fukin forever... so shut up! and tha funy thing IS U CANT FUKIN PLAY YET UR RUNIN UR MOUTH!!!