By Tonya Whitaker
NDG Staff Writer
On Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 at 9 p.m., three prolific female drummers will electrify the Clarence Muse cafe theatre at the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex with their jazz, funk and gospel sounds. The Black Academy of Arts and Letters’ (TBAAL) Women in Rhythm Triple Threat concert will feature Pockett (Danielle Brown), Quita (JaQuita Jones) and Tymeshia Lloyd showcasing their craft to the crowd. The women are slated to perform a tribute to the most famous female drummer of this generation, Shelia E. Accompanying the ladies are April Roy on keys and vocals, Joyce Spencer on saxophone and Candace “Mahogany” Miller on keys and vocals. Tickets are $10 and are on sale at the TBAAL box office, at the corner of Akard and Canton streets, by calling 214-743-2400.
The North Dallas Gazette interviewed Lloyd, who serves as youth minister for Threshold Ministries International in Richardson, about the concert and her development into a gospel drummer.
NDG: Do you have any drummers who inspire you?
TL: I admire Chris Coleman because he is very knowledgeable of his craft and his presentation and showmanship is awesome, and he has fun with his craft. Calvin Rogers (a gospel drummer) has played for everybody from Marvin Sapp to Shirley Caesar. Sheila E. has been out for years, and I know she has had challenges in her life. I want to be like Sheila E. because she has done it all as a female drummer. Cora Dunham; she is bad.
NDG: What do you enjoy most about being a drummer?
TL: By God blessing me with the gift to be a drummer, it brings a lot to my worship life and it allows me to be closer to Him. Being a musician for Him has brought me some of the most peaceful times in my life.
NDG: How long have you been a drummer?
TL: At six years old, I began to play around with music. My mother played a lot of jazz and gospel music in the house. I would beat around on my grandmother’s bake ware. I also beat boxed with my brother, Reginald. At that moment, I knew my gift. In 1998, one of my aunts died. She was a singer and an inspiration for me. After she died, something inside of said to go ahead and pursue drumming. After high school, I got to play with several people including Rebecca Friedlander and Anna Howard and I performed in the Gospel Music Workshop of 2006.
NDG: Tell me a little about the Women in Rhythm Triple Threat event?
TL: This is my first big debut to come together with three female drummers in the public eye and not just in the church. I am 100 percent happy. I have always wanted to do something that brings honor and glory to God. I want to move in the gospel arena and jazz and neo-soul arenas. I am asking God to open the doors so I can do.
NDG: Do you play other instruments?
TL: I do play the lead guitar that I practice on continually. I have a desire to learn it.
NDG: How would you go about encouraging females who want to become a drummer?
TL: First and foremost keep God first, practice on your craft and get around people who believe in you and don’t give up on you because people will discourage you from your craft. Always take constructive criticism; and don’t let arrogance hinder you from going farther in life.
