My story of  my first encounter with Edwina’s work  is a personal testimony of my experience of that manifestation.   It is important because this is the level of work that Edwina carries.  This is the story she wants you to know. 

Edwina Lee Tyler

Edwina Tyler has been drumming for over 40 years starting in New York. About this she says,
“What called me to the drum? God. It’s as simple as that. I really started when I was 3 years old. I was told I would play on any and every thing I could get my hands on. Having the parents that I had, they were artist themselves, so I had it made.

Edwina is a talented performing artist having credits in television, Broadway, recording, film, and commissions for other artists. Noted appearances include Alice Tully Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Dance Theatre Workshop, La Mama E.T.C. and The Michigan Women’s Music Festival. She has toured throughout Europe, Africa, and Korea. She was one of the first percussionists for Urban Bush Women.  In addition to supporting others, Edwina was director of her own company, A Piece of the World, which toured Europe, Canada and the United States. We will post her extensive biography in our final article on Edwina entitled:  The Impeccable Edwina  Lee Tyler

Notables at the International Conference of Women, Nairobi, Kenya

In 1985 a Young Edwina Tyler played her drum for African Women at the International Women’s Conference in Nairobi, Kenya.  This gathering of African and African American Women was sponsored by the United Nations to assess 10 years of progress in addressing cultural and social issues on the continent. The conference was attended by such notables as Coretta Scott King, Angela Davis and Donna Height, then head of the National Conference on Negro Woman.

The photographer took Edwina’s picture too!  Why was that?  He knew the significance of what he saw. He  captured  not only an artist displaying her talent but the breaking of  a cultural taboo well known to African Women:  Women do not play these drums!  Women in Africa have their wombs stripped of power and are beaten and killed for playing these drums!  Here sat a young Edwina, playing her drum with a man (hands in the foreground) entertaining African Women probably unaware of the risk to her life and the protection afforded her as a member of the American contingent to this conference.  Here sat Edwina sowing the seeds of reclamation and  personal empowerment!  We are ecstatic to post this photo so women know what it is that she did!  The world needs to know just  what  it is Edwina  Lee Tyler did!

Edwina Tyler is a Messenger of God and her ancestors and a testimony of what women can do when they connect with God, their heart and the power of the Womb.  She continues to teach and perform at women’s drum camps and seminars. 

Edwina Tyler  lives in Long Island  and continues her work of healing working with music ministries in the local churches.   For those in the area she facilitates a drum circle Saturday, every second Saturday of the month. 
Next circle is July 10, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: Community Baptist church 605 Granny Road Middle island, New York

Edwina Drumming

Edwina has recorded and produced two albums, Drum Drama and Things are Gonna Change.  Drum Drama is being transferred from cassette to CD and will be available in the coming weeks.  Copies of Things are Gonna Change are available through Amazon.com

International Conference on Women photos from Ebony Magazine October, 1985