Our Unbeatable Story
Find out more about Unbeatable Energy, what makes us beat, our team, and what people say about us!
Steve Rivers established Unbeatable Energy in 2004. As director and lead facilitator, Steve is likely to be one of the most vibrant and dynamic people you will ever meet!
From his early days in classical percussion, Steve Rivers discovered his passion for African drumming in 1995. Since then, he has immersed himself in the rich history and culture of West African rhythms, making multiple visits to Gambia and Senegal to deepen his understanding and refine his skills. Most recently, Steve returned from a study trip to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he trained with the renowned Griot musician Sidiki Dembele, further enriching his drumming expertise.
Steve and his Unbeatable Energy team have inspired creativity and rhythm in countless adults and children across the UK, delivering workshops that are as educational as they are energizing. One of Steve’s most memorable achievements was at the 2006 Successful Selling Conference at Birmingham’s ICC, where he led 1,200 delegates in a high-energy Boomwhacker session. In just 10 minutes, the entire audience was unified in rhythm, creating an unforgettable wave of enthusiasm.
Steve’s adventures have taken him far and wide. A standout moment was traveling to Japan to deliver a 20-minute percussion workshop at a prestigious conference. The session was so successful that the company invited him back for another performance in Gothenburg, Sweden. Yet, the experiences Steve treasures most are the lasting social legacies his workshops have created: couples who met through his drumming classes and now have families, and young musicians he has inspired to become skilled djembe players and music educators. Beyond African drumming, Steve has explored Brazilian Samba and developed innovative sessions like “Rubbish Rhythms,” making music from discarded items. Known for his playful and engaging style, Steve brings a touch of humour and fun to everything he does. When he isn’t drumming, he can be found perfecting his French or baking sourdough bread—with plenty of laughs along the way!
Steve Rivers
Unbeatable Energy Founder
This is why we do what we do!
“One memorable highlight was speaking at the 2006 Successful Selling Conference at the Birmingham ICC. The post-dinner energiser event involved 1200 delegates taking part in a giant ‘Boomwhacker’ percussion session. In the space of 10 minutes everyone in the room was playing a co-ordinated rhythm. The entire auditorium was buzzing with enthusiasm, energy and creative inspiration.”
Zoe Jeffryes
Zoe Jeffryes discovered her passion for African drumming 19 years ago at a summer singing camp, where the exhilaration of drumming workshops inspired her to explore new musical directions. Since then, she has devoted herself to studying African drumming, performing with a drumming group, and leading workshops with Unbeatable Energy for the past 15 years.
An experienced vocalist, Zoe has also run a community choir in Sheffield for three years, enjoying the blend of percussion and song. She believes that music is for everyone and loves helping people discover their musical potential. In her free time, Zoe enjoys countryside walks, fun family moments, and indulging in tea and chocolate.
Justine Hart
Justine Hart is a passionate teacher and musician, known for her talent as a vocalist and her impeccable djembe technique. Since 1998, she has taught groups of all abilities, adapting her engaging workshops to each client’s needs. Her enthusiasm for West African music makes her a valued part of the Unbeatable Energy team, with performances at events like WOMAD and the Kartong Festival.
Justine regularly travels to West Africa to deepen her knowledge of traditional music, studying with local masters in Senegal. Outside of music, she enjoys exploring nature, good food, and landscape photography.
Demetri Dourambeis
Demetri Dourambeis' passion for music began at the age of four, evolving from classical piano to a thrilling career in percussion. As a teenager, he played drums in several bands, even having the memorable experience of supporting Toyah Wilcox at Bradford University in front of 1,500 enthusiastic fans. His unique ability to connect with people makes him an invaluable part of Unbeatable Energy, where he brings energy and momentum to every session, inspiring groups to discover new rhythms and building teams through creative music-making.
With his playful sense of humour and natural charm, Demetri has a gift for making everyone feel welcome and engaged. Whether he’s leading a high-energy drumming session or sharing a laugh with participants, his enthusiasm and genuine connection with people are at the heart of his drumming and his remarkable ability to uplift those around him. His other passions in life are pets, coffee, photography, and good food.
Christian Fields
Christian’s journey into percussion began as a teenager, working as a roadie for his father’s seven-piece cover band. Stepping in to play congas when needed, he discovered a passion for Latin funk, eventually performing with various funk bands around Sheffield. After a break from music to focus on family, Christian rediscovered his love for drumming through Unbeatable Energy.
Inspired by the welcoming community and Steve Rivers’ engaging approach to African rhythms, he embraced African drumming and has since become a skilled djembe player known for his clear technique and emotive solo phrasing. Beyond music, Christian enjoys volunteering at dog training centres and walking rescue dogs, combining his love of animals with community service. He also appreciates Latin Cuban funk and disco, finding inspiration in these vibrant musical styles for his playing.
Unbeatable Experiences For Over Twenty Years
Discover The Drums of Africa
The African continent is enormous and our own experience and research covers a tiny fragment of the West African region. Within that tiny fragment, we have enough research material to keep us busy for our entire lifetime! Just as there are thousands of different styles of music and rhythms, there are hundreds of different drums all with their own special customs, culture and language. Here are drums that we have explored and share a passion for in our African drumming and drum circle events. Listen below as Steve demonstrates the unique sound these wonderful instruments produce.
The Djembe
A single skinned hand drum made out of one piece of hollowed African wood and shaped like an hour glass. It normally stands about two feet high and has a Goat skin which is fastened to the shell with metals rings. These rings are attached with tightly strung rope which creates a complex system of woven ‘diamonds’ around the shell of the drum. The end result is a drum that has an incredible diversity of sounds. The edge of the drum has a dry, high pitched (almost metallic sound) sound. In complete contrast the sound created in the middle of the drum is a deep, booming bass which is quite capable of rattling the walls of a small room.
The Djembe drum originates from a collection of West African tribes in Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, Mali and some select regions of Ivory Coast and Senegal. Traditionally played by families born into the trade of black smithing, it is now one of the most popular drums played throughout the entire continent.
The Dunduns
Like the Djembe, Dunduns are made out of one piece of hollowed wood, but carved into a barrel shape. They are double sided and played with a stick, though only one side is ever played at any given time. In Guinea the skin is normally made of a strong, thick, cow skin, while in countries such as Mali, the skin is often a lighter goat skin. There are three types of Dundun played – the largest is the Dundunba, the middle sized is the Sangba and the smallest is the Kenkeni.
There are a variety of ways to play them. They can be played side-ways with one hand while the other hand plays a bell attached to the shell, or they can be played standing upright. You can have several musicians playing different complimentary rhythms on each of the three dunduns or alternatively one musician might strap them together and play all three combined.
Dunduns are the driving force behind the sound and rhythm of the Djembe and thus complete a classic Djembe ensemble. You will rarely see a professional Djembe group in West Africa without the Dundun drums. They have immense power and momentum, creating an intense funky sound which makes it virtually impossible not to move when you hear them being played!
The Bugarabu
The Bugarabu is a single sided hand drum played by the Jola tribe in Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau. Although it looks similar to the Djembe, it’s sound and the way it is played is completely different. The piece of wood is carved into a cone shape and traditionally the skin was pegged down rather than fastened with rope as in the photograph. The single drum can be played on its own like a djembe, but professional players often play four or five of them together, sometimes for hours non-stop!
Bugarabus have a unique, unmistakable sound which is created by a thick cow skin which is fastened tightly to the drum to create a beautifully rich tone.
Hand Percussion
Drums are not the only component to creating the perfect rhythm sound. Throughout Africa and Latin America the drums are frequently accompanied by a large variety of percussion – metallic sounds such as the Agogo and Apitua bells, Wood Blocks which create depth and timbre and shakers such as the Cabassa and Maracas which create momentum. Hand percussion offers something unique and special giving distinction to the multiple beats being played.
They are given the same level of importance as the larger drums in a rhythm ensemble.
Boomwhackers
Boomwhackers are tuned acoustic tubes that create different harmonic tones. They are played by tapping the end of the tube against one’s hand or clashing two together, rather like cymbals.
Because each coloured Boomwhacker creates a musical note, amazing patterns can be created which fuse harmony with rhythm. In a Boomwhacker group session, participants can easily identify the harmonic tone of each colour and this enables them to create complex music.
Boomwhackers are versatile. They can be used in many different activities in schools, colleges, parties and private functions, community and corporate events. Boomwhackers work brilliantly with group sizes from 30 to 1500.
