Patty Mayeux Blog

Rest is needed to rejuvenate and recharge. Still, most days I go full blast until the time for rest cannot be denied. It’s all about the balance between too much go and too little slow. Last week I had a low afternoon. The thought of cross-town, rush-hour traffic was draining. I was tempted to fake some excuse to back out of my commitment to play for a Joy of Djembe Drumming Ensemble Black History Month gig at the local Children’s Museum. Instead, I rallied and convinced myself that joy was waiting for me at the end of that drive. I was not disappointed. Grooving with fellow musicians to create that harmonic flow is heaven. When the audience gets involved, all the better. Imagine a tottering toddler flailing their arms all akimbo, a huge smile for all to see. Even teenage boys showed off their struts, trying to outdo each other at the encouragement of Banke, our dancer. Those uninhibited dancers were expressing thanks for our energetic rhythms. Leftover smiles of those memories remind me that pure joy lies at the end of a road built on practice sessions, cross-town traffic and all. Blues can soothe your soul. Rhythm can set your feet to dancing.