The World Drum Club at We Play Well Together features the collaboration of Kalani and Brandon, both know for their percussion sessions.
Their work combines various rhythms and engaging presentation. The duo's approach has been noted for offering both entertainment and educational insights, reflecting We Play Well Together's focus on musical innovation and community engagement.
Brandon Blake, a multifaceted individual juggling roles as a preschool teacher, brain injury support group leader, musician, animal rights activist, and volunteer, shares his daily life and his profound connection with the Kalimba Sansula in an interview with Annalena Horl for Hokema, Germany. His routine begins with caring for his cats, followed by preparing breakfast and spending eight hours at school focusing on the social and emotional development of young children. Post-work, he finds solace and creativity in playing the Sansula or bass, highlighting his commitment to self-care and artistic expression.
Brandon’s job satisfaction stems from nurturing positive behaviors like kindness, empathy, and respect among preschool children, aiming to cultivate a future generation free of xenophobia, racism, and aggression. He was drawn to the Sansula as a means to disconnect from the digital world and engage in a more tactile, musical form of expression. Since discovering the Sansula in 2015, it has become an integral part of his life, offering him solace, therapeutic benefits, and a medium for musical creativity.
He utilizes the Sansula across various aspects of his life, from calming preschool children and entertaining nursing home residents to providing healing in brain injury communities. Brandon praises the Sansula for its ease of use, therapeutic potential, and adaptability, including his innovative use of magnets to alter its notes for performance flexibility. He regards the Sansula as a serious musical instrument, validated by his performances with renowned musicians like Victor Wooten, where his unique playing techniques were celebrated.
Brandon’s favorite Hokema instrument is the Sansula Renaissance for its durability and sound quality, making it suitable for both young children and therapeutic applications. His journey with the Sansula began after a life-altering accident that left him with severe injuries and a traumatic brain injury, from which he has been recovering with resilience and positivity. Now leading a group for young patients with brain injuries, Brandon views every moment as "bonus time," a second chance at life enriched by his experiences, relationships, and music.
I am new to the Monolina world but have been around stringed instruments all my life. I'm so excited about its possibilities as a solo instrument for use in Reiki, as well as in an ensemble setting. It helps me to meditate as well.
We have a full set of crystal bowls, and the low C monochord adds a wonderful depth to their sounding. I also find myself humming/singing over the low C drone in a quite natural way. Very happy with my new instrument.
I've wanted to purchase a Sansula ever since I first heard one, two years ago. I finally purchased one and upon receiving it was disappointed in it's sound. Customer service was extremely helpful and promptly replaced it. Couldn't have been a better experience. I highly recommend the instrument and the company is top notch.
