The Watts district in Los Angeles is home to Simon Rodia's masterpieces of concrete and steel called the Watt's Towers (or Nuestro Pueblo as Simon preferred). But few know that the Watts Towers Arts Center next door houses a fantastic collection of exotic folk drums, many donated by Dr. Joseph Howard who was an avid collector and author of books on folk drumming traditions of the Americas.
If you have the occasion to visit Los Angeles, you can find the Watts district near the intersections of Interstates 105 and 110.
One of the rare specimens in the museum is this massive crocodile drum (pictured here) upon which up to a dozen drummers straddle as the group plays with sticks.
More on Watts Towers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watts_Towers
For more on the instrument gallery of Dr. Joseph & Bootsie Howard visit: https://www.wattstowers.org/
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