Beat Keepers:
Women with Rhythm
2019 Documentary / 1 Hr 13 Min
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As a decades-long drummer
and die-hard enthusiast, this
film grabbed my attention
immediately. And thanks to
Amazon Prime I didn't have
to search very long or far
to experience it for myself.
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Filmmaker, Cindy Goldberg, has lived a life driven by music. From a young age she possessed a passion for singing and playing piano. During her teens, she took up the clarinet and began performing with symphonic ensembles. However, she remained feeling less than fulfilled musically.
In the introduction to her just-released documentary, BEAT KEEPERS: Women with Rhythm, Goldberg shares her personal story of discovering that drum kit in band class on her first day of high school. But, in those days, drums weren't considered "a girls' instrument." Years later, as a response to her husband's open skepticism regarding her ability, Goldberg finally was challenged to pursue drums formally. Her determined, "I'll show you" mindset motivated her to give it her all, and she soon traveled to seek out professional training. In short order, Goldberg formed her own band, Restless Soul, and she began gigging in and around her native Ottawa.
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| Filmmaker, Cindy Goldberg, performing with Restless Soul. Photo: Tom Linden Courtesy of Cindy Goldberg |
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| Texas-based session drummer, Payton Taylor, (L) attending the Nashville premier of BEAT KEEPERS. |
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"It was an honor to be
"It was an honor to be
a part of a project that
sheds light on the female
drumming community.
I hope this film will
encourage more young
girls to start drumming!"
-Payton Taylor
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Despite the film's drum-dedicated, female-focused allure, BEAT KEEPERS offers a more universal message — one that speaks warmly to all professional and aspiring musicians — regardless of one's gender identity.
Featuring interviews with a seemingly endless arraying of up-and-coming female drummers, BEAT KEEPERS also boasts a bounty of compelling conversations with numerous noteworthy male and female pros — including Todd Sucherman (Styx), Dawn Richardson (4 Non Blondes), Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Chicago), Tosha Jones (Saliva), Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart) and many others.
Marquee names aside, BEAT KEEPERS also shines brightly through the commentary provided by an impressive procession of up-and-coming female drummers who share their unique stories openly — players of all ages who started "keeping the beat" early in life, and those who began their journeys much later — both formally trained and self-taught — fascinating perspectives amplified further by personal live performance clips.
Featuring interviews with a seemingly endless arraying of up-and-coming female drummers, BEAT KEEPERS also boasts a bounty of compelling conversations with numerous noteworthy male and female pros — including Todd Sucherman (Styx), Dawn Richardson (4 Non Blondes), Walfredo Reyes Jr. (Chicago), Tosha Jones (Saliva), Carmine Appice (Rod Stewart) and many others.
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| Chicago drummer Walfredo Reyes Jr. offers many engaging personal and professional insights throughout the film, BEAT KEEPERS. |
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| Shortly after discovering drummer Melanie Krahmer in BEAT KEEPERS, I got to see her perform live in Florida with her combo, SIRSY. |
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| Saliva drummer, Tosha Jones, is one of the many stand-out drummers featured in BEAT KEEPERS. |
BEAT KEEPERS bursts with so much "banging" WOW-factor, it's tough to unpack it all in a concise overview. From internationally-known names to fascinating up-and-comers, from studio owners to instructors to Podcasters to college professors, the film's eclectic cast of compelling contributors offer powerful words of inspiration and encouragement for anyone pursuing creative passions — making for a film with a message more urgent and perhaps more relevant than even its intriguing title may suggest.
-Christopher Long
(October 2019)
__________
- A SHOT OF POISON -
"10th Anniversary Edition"
(2020)
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- SUPERSTAR -
__________
- SHOUT IT OUT LOUD -
(2014)
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- C'MON! -
(2012)
