Sometimes it is easy to forget that my friends are pillars of the Vancouver music community and have worked with and recorded with international music stars. As I work on their computers, jam with them or trade jibes about our love life — or lack of that sort of attraction — these magical musicians are very human folks. We relax and respect each other as individuals as we share the time that builds a real relationship — we are friends.
My friend and African drum teacher, ManDido Morris has gone into the next stage of existence. He will no longer call me to assist him with his computer, update his website or to integrate his latest piece of audio/video electronics into his system.
ManDido had a huge collection of hand drums, but he also loved gadgets and computer technology. He was always buying something that he saw real potential in owning, but then needed help in figuring out. As this was my specialty, I would trade him for drum lessons or just come over and eat his fine vegetarian cooking. He’d say that once you tried his special tofu, you would never go back to eating meat. I could never get into the wheatgrass juice or infrared sauna though . . .
We helped each other in many ways. He as a mentor, drum teacher and dispenser of wise words of encouragement. I will miss ManDido, but I know that he is doing what is best for him and not lingering around here when his work was done. He raised two fine sons and touched thousands of young hearts with their first try at drumming with his workshops in the schools. He established drum circles in Montreal and in Vancouver that will continue into the future. He brought many of us into the rhythm of mother Africa, even though I will never be a master drummer, now I can be a journeyman follower. I can listen to a master drummer, take instruction and hold my part to build the interlocking sounds of traditional West African music.
Almost the last time I saw him he blessed me with the wish, “I hope you find what you are looking for”. I am still searching ManDido, but you did help light my way.
I attended the event postered below, but for those who did not, sometime in July ManDido’s ashes will be sent to the winds at the anchor beach where his drum circle started on Spanish Banks sometime in July. I will post the time and date, but at the memorial, I was too involved in what was going on. More information and stories about ManDido will be published in Common Ground.
