'I just want to keep spirits high': How this musician uses a handpan to entertain Dubai Marina residents

As people across the UAE started following stay-at-home orders towards the end of March, it was local musicians who took it upon themselves to entertain their neighbours during the uncertain times.

From Carlos Presno playing the bagpipes in Dubai Marina to Soren Lyng Hansen using her cello to serenade apartment dwellers in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, many musicians have stepped up to provide their neighbours with a sense of calm during the "new normal".

Joining the fray is percussionist Walter Scalzone. The Italian used to perform frequently at Coya Dubai and Nikki Beach. Last year, he performed 433 shows, both local and international, and is sometimes booked out for 40 shows a month. So, the fact that pandemic brought an end to live performances in the region "hit hard".

“Making music is the way I express myself,” he says. “If you truly enjoy doing something you will find a way to do it. Also I think it is a moral thing; as a musician, you feel responsible for uplifting moods. You want to illicit a positive reaction.”

That is why he decided to launch #UncancelledSundays. Sundays were the days that he usually performed at Coya Dubai but since such events are no longer taking place outdoors, he decided to bring them to the balcony of his Dubai Marina apartment.

As a percussionist, Scalzone plays instruments such as acoustic drums (like the bongos and darbukas) and electric drums. One of his favourite instruments, though rather uncommon in the region, is the handpan. It's a metal drum played using the hands and it's what  he takes to his balcony every Sunday at 9pm for half an hour, playing his rendition of popular songs.

The result sounds like smooth instrumentals accompanying popular tunes like Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness or Ed Sheeran's Photograph. Scalzone has even done a handpan rendition of Coldplay's A Sky Full of Stars – something he says he wants to dedicate to front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic, "the real stars during this crisis".

The reaction from neighbours has been positive, he adds.

“People come out to their balconies, take videos of me performing. It’s a rather weird-looking instrument so they must be wondering what’s going on,” he laughs. “Still, I’m getting a couple of recurrent visitors now. I try to keep the volume at a reasonable level though – I don’t want to disturb anyone.”

The videos are also shared online on his Instagram page and YouTube, which Scalzone says is important to stay relevant and connected with audiences.

“I’m performing just as I always used to do. It’s a challenging time – it’s easy to go out and keep creating content. But when you are at home, you have to keep reinventing yourself.”

At the end of the day though, he hopes that he’s doing his part to help people feel better. “I think music is kind of a therapy during these hard times,” he says. “I just want to keep spirits high and contribute to make something good out of this whole situation.”