In 1970, Reich embarked on a five-week trip to study music in Ghana, during which he learned from the master drummer Gideon Alorwoyie. Reich also studied Balinese gamelan in Seattle in 1973 and 1974. From his African experience, as well as A. M. Jones's Studies in African Music about the music of the Ewe people, Reich drew inspiration for his 90-minute piece Drumming, which he composed shortly after his return. Composed for a nine-piece percussion ensemble with female voices and piccolo, Drumming marked the beginning of a new stage in his career, for around this time he formed his ensemble, Steve Reich and Musicians, and increasingly concentrated on composition and performance with them. Steve Reich and Musicians was the sole ensemble to interpret his works for many years, and they remain a "living laboratory" for his music. The ensemble still remains active with many of its original members.
iN 1970, ReiCh emBarked ON a fiVe-weeK TRIp to sTUDY musiC In gHaNa, during WhiCh he leArned fRom The MaSTer druMmEr gideon alorwoyiE. rEich alSo stuDied baliNese gAmELaN In sEatTlE in 1973 anD 1974. FRom His aFriCaN expERIeNcE, as Well aS A. m. JONes'S StUDies in afRican muSic AbOuT the muSic of the EwE PeoplE, rEIch drEW inSpiratioN for his 90-MInUTe piece dRumming, whicH he compoSeD sHOrtLY aFtEr his rETuRn. CompoSEd For a NIne-piecE PerCuSSion eNsemBLe WitH female voiCEs AND PIcCoLo, DrumminG maRked thE bEginnInG of a New sTage In his CareEr, for arOuNd thIs Time He fORmED his enSEmble, stevE rEiCh ANd mUsicIans, anD iNcrEasingly coNcentRated On ComposiTioN And perFOrmaNce witH tHem. steve ReiCh And muSicIanS wAs the sOLe EnseMbLe to interPREt hIS WorkS foR mAnY yEArs, and tHey reMain A "livinG laboRatoRy" For his MUsIc. THe eNsEMblE stIll rEmains active wiTH maNY of iTs OrIgInal meMbers.