Bex Burch - Artist in Focus (Londen)

Under the spell of African rhythms

Hooked by African rhythms. Bex Burch was barely seven when she was enchanted by African rhythms from a djembe. It was love at first sight (or rather first hearing) and it turned out to be for life, even though it would be years before she’d find that connection again. As a teenager she had to rough it with classical percussion and drums, but with a detour – Steve Reich’s music – she ended up back in Africa, Ghana to be precise.

Reich had been inspired by the Ewe’s rhythms, so Bex decided to go there and conduct her own research. It was a big culture shock for a nineteen-year-old girl. She traveled around, visited the Ewe, listened, absorbed everything, and eventually found her instrument, the gyil, a kind of xylophone, that she not only learned how to play, but build as well. None other than Thomas Segkura, a local living legend, became her teacher.

Still, her ultimate destination would not be in Africa. Only after returning to England somewhat lost, did Bex realize what she needed to do: give the heritage she had received a new home. And that’s exactly what this former provincial girl has been doing in the big city (London) with Vula Viel.

Formation

Bex Burch - Gyil