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Daybreak
Local artist: Randy Chollette
With two drumming sticks in hand, local artist and musician Randy Chollette plays on the hollow pieces of his perfectly carved Cayman mahogany wood drum — an instrument that, for Chollette, is his most special creation to date and one that hits close to the heart of his beloved isle.
In making this style of instrument, Chollette explained he first makes slits where the opening is going to be that will shape the sound.
| 00:07:43
Cayman Compass
Local artist turns discarded tree into work of musical art
In making this style of instrument, Chollette explained he first makes slits where the opening is going to be that will shape the sound.
With the drum being hollowed, Chollette said, “It’s a log that gets dug out through narrow slits that will then create the tone of the drum. You then start to chisel out these slits and bit by bit dig out the centre of the log.”
Chollette said it’s a very slow but meditative process, taking up to two months to create.
“What’s special about my particular drum is I made it with the help of a brother, Brad Singh, and we infused this drum with our positive thoughts and energy, camaraderie and joy. The wood holds all the energy from the people it encountered as a tree to now this new journey as a drum.”
