Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Sturgis.
Aaron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Like most drummers, I started in the church (at the age of seven). Out of sheer curiosity, I asked the main drummer to show me a “1-2 rhythm” and I haven’t put the drums down since! In high school, I played in the marching band, which took me to college and allowed me to gain a strong foundation in rudimental drumming. Years later, after I thought I was done with drums, the cajon (or “box drum”) kind of found me and I entered a whole new world of African & Latin instruments which form the multi-percussion setups I use now.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the concepts of life in African drumming is that life itself is not perfect. You might miss a beat or make a mistake, but this is why you practice those scenarios endlessly so when they happen, you can recover as quickly as possible. In a similar fashion, life doesn’t give us much time to focus on mistakes & mishaps. Even if you find a difficult challenge that seems impossible to overcome, time keeps going no matter what; the best scenario in this case is to focus on your next opportunity to get it right. This is why I think drummers tend to have a great outlook on life. Being “present in the rhythm” forces you to think forward at all times and not weigh your mind so heavily on the past.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a multi-percussionist who infuses African & Latin drums with modern music. My sets typically include 10-15 drums being played simultaneously while being supported by tunes in every genre, from Amapiano, Afro House & Afrobeats to Pop, Reggae, Hip-Hop/R&B, & Trap. The name “Son-Of-Rhythm” was adapted from my ability to play ALL drums & music within the diaspora.
After the pandemic, I began playing multi-percussion at local parks in Atlanta solely as a hobby. This began to draw attention from park enthusiasts, and I found my niche as “The Piedmont Park drummer”. As more people became fascinated with my sound & story, I began expanding my knowledge of instruments and playing for local venues & music artists, which eventually led to bookings along the east coast. Now, my performances have ascended to unique music experiences that combine live, tribal, acoustic, and digital sound all in one! I can honestly say there is nothing like it.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
The drums I play are essentially the story of the African diaspora and credit every drummer & musician who has come before me. During the slave trades, Africans found themselves in lands unknown and carried their rhythms, instruments, & craftsmanship with them, which resulted in the evolution of modern music across the world as we know it today. The drums I use are native to areas ranging from West Africa to the Middle East (carried by the Trans-Saharan Slave Trade), as well as the Americas (carried by the Atlantic & European Slave Trade). In a way, I don’t only present myself as a musician but also as a storyteller that bridges an earlier time of where (and who) we came from to where we are now. It’s an important chapter in the history of music, and I’m proud to thank all of my ancestors with every strike I play.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/sonofrhythm
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sonofrhythm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sonofrhythm
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/sonofrhythm
- Youtube: youtube.com/sonofrhythm
Image Credits
Sean Davis (@seand67)
