Afra Bell

I am an Accredited therapeutic counsellor, qualified clinical counsellor & psychotherapy supervisor. I am also a Team Manager for a young people’s counselling and substance misuse service. I also have a private counselling practice. I am a drummer and a singer. I am a mother and a grandmother.

My journey with the drum began when I was very young, listening to my mother’s eclectic taste in music, within which I found myself often transfixed to the Rhythm of the drums in its many forms and whatever the style. I first remember consciously deciding that I wanted to play drums at the age of 5yrs. I am of mixed-race origin, an interesting rhythmical mix of English/ Irish (mother) and Grenadian/ Cuban/ Chinese (father). And the drums I have come to play are of west African origin. So, although my father is from Grenada going back generations, he is (as I am) descended from African enslaved people. This being so, Playing an African drum means something very ancient and special for me and is hugely significant in its meaning for many reasons.

In addition to my mother’s influence, I moved into a second family, that of my step father who headed a Ghanian Afro-fusion band called Osibisa. Their music was transformative as it was an integration of cultures and styles (traditional music from the Asante people of Ghana mixed with Jazz, Rock and Latin music) which spoke to me deeply as a mixed-race little girl. It was at this time that I decided on what drums I wanted to touch and learn how to play, the congas and the kpanlogos.

After two years of learning and playing I began drumming for a women’s storytelling group and met my drumming and soul sister Kirby. We travelled all over the country teaching and performing.

Kirby and I began to play drums freestyle for medicine groups and transformational gatherings. We also played drums and percussion in the all-female African/Latin drumming, singing and percussion band, Cascada, performing and working in schools, prisons, community centres festivals, etc. Kirby then created a corporate drumming and percussion workshop business, where I worked alongside her, bringing the drum into the corporate world, offering team building and leadership workshops using Rhythm, drum and song.

My journey with the drum has taken me to extraordinary places and to meet the most amazing people. The drum has been my prayer, my blessing, my challenge and a conduit for ongoing development and healing.

I studied the main drums I play through Ghanian teachers and also from my sister Kirby, learning traditional pieces and sentences. I then started playing for traditional and contemporary dance workshops as well as teaching and playing in an eclectic performance band. After playing for some sacred and transformative work, I began exploring its connection to people’s dance healing and self-expression and the resulting circular connection to self, personal development and release. Drumming can re-connect people to themselves, to each other and to their creativity.

The most enjoyable, creative and productive experience I have with the drum is playing, delivering workshops and performing in the all-female band, Cascada. This is a powerful and inspiring creation that has inspired many others to play, dance and create.