Attendees at last Tuesday’s DrakeSalon were treated to a captivating Q&A session with Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie, in town performing with the TSO.
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Glennie, the Western world’s first full-time solo percussionist, is profoundly deaf. She feels the sound more than hears it. But no one asked about this, nor did she bring it up. Instead, she spoke about the need for music in schools, her dream of the perfect marimba (“The one I hear in my head doesn’t yet exist”) and how to persevere when faced with challenges.
A man asked if she is a fan of Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and John Bonham. “Yes,” Glennie said, before speaking at length about the importance of eventually setting influences aside in order to “knuckle down and find your own unique voice.”
“What about Frank Zappa?” he shouted. “You like him?”
Everyone sighed.
