They may hail from universities that have elevated football rivalry to an art form, but Bob Damm and Ricky Burkhead have been kindred spirits for a long time.
Damm, professor of music at Mississippi State University, and Burkhead, associate professor of percussion at the University of Mississippi, will perform together Friday, Jan. 7, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center when the Columbus Arts Council presents “An Evening of World Drumming.”
The 7:30 p.m. program in the second-floor Omnova Theater will include solo and duet repertoire for a variety of percussion instruments including jembes (African hand drums), darabukka (Middle Eastern hand drums), African xylophone, Caribbean steel drums and more.
The hour-long concert will showcase music with roots in Cuba, Trinidad, Africa, America and Asia, according to Burkhead, and will include pieces like “William Tell”s Canned Overture,” “Desert Celebration,” and “Etude in Arabic Rhythms.”
“We work well together,” Burkhead said. “There are no egos between the two of us; it really makes for a nice environment. Plus, he does some unique things, and I do some unique things.”
Damm commented, “Ricky”s real laid back and has a similar philosophy of what music is.”
The duo share an intense interest in world music and have appeared together previously in Tupelo and Oxford. This will be their first duo performance in the Golden Triangle.
Tickets are $10 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus, or by calling 662-328-2787. Admission at the door will be $12. Seating is limited; advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Damm will also facilitate an interactive drum circle Saturday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Omnova Theater. Because space is limited, advance tickets ($10) are required for the drum circle.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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