Ed Keegan doesn’t remember having an “aha” moment when it came to drumming.
Drumming was just something he thought he’d like to do when he started playing in the fourth-grade school band. For the longest time, he didn’t even have a drum set of his own, having to set up books in his room and jam.
But drumming has taken him on quite the musical journey: To Iraq in Desert Storm, backing comedians Steve Martin and Jay Leno as part of his service in the Army Band. To a “Jesus Christ Superstar” gig in his native Syracuse. And today, to his work with the blues band Lester Funk. He helps others experience the physical and mental health benefits through rhythm, visits schools as “Drummer Ed” and even co-authored a children’s book with his daughter, Rebekah.
Now, he’s fulfilling a dream and perhaps providing musical “aha” moments for others.
Rhythm Connect opened earlier this month in the village of Fairport.
Visitors are greeted by a section of the store he calls the “Junk Jam” — and the name pretty much describes it. You can drum on an old pail, a piece of chain-link fence, even the kitchen sink. If you know “Stomp,” then you’ll dig the experience.
If the first thing you see in a store is an extensive drum kit, you might be intimidated, he reasoned. But, he said, anyone can make music in a fun way.
“Who can’t bang on a bucket?” Keegan said. “Rhythm is something we experience every day with breathing and walking. I wanted the store to be an experience of rhythm.”
And, he hopes, an experience of other cultures. Sure, he’s got sticks and drum sets. But he also sells djembes (an African drum), congas (Latin American) and other percussion instruments from other lands.
A section of the store is set up like a rain forest — based on a scene from his children’s book,
“Drumming Through the Jungle.” There, visitors of any age can try out the various instruments because, as the store slogan goes, “anyone can be a drummer.”
Visitors also can participate in group classes and art-in-education programs at his store. Todd Rundgren had it right when he sang, “I don’t want to work. I want to bang on the drum all day.” Why? Keegan also offers stress-reduction classes, through drumming.
“Rhythm is more fun when experienced in a community,” Keegan said. “Drumming is about community, and this never would have happened without family and friends.”
