Dillon Vado

The Jewel Marimba had me feeling like a little kid again in all the best ways. The unique pattern and layout almost discourages the learning of patterns and in its place encourages openness and leading with a sense of curiosity. My sense of time dissolved the more I played it, I was captivated by the unpredictable nature of the keys, combined with the somehow very grounding and deeply familiar resonance the instrument was producing. The sound is impossible to describe with words. Daniel Barenboim says "we can't talk about music, but can only talk about how music makes us feel" and in that regard, this instrument made me feel calm, curious, safe but playful, and alive all at once.