Jojo Mayer

Jojo Mayer

Birth : 1963-01-18, Zurich

History

Jojo Mayer is a Swiss drummer born in Zürich and currently residing in New York City. He plays Vic Firthsticks, Sonor drums, Sabian cymbals and Evans heads. Mayer is the son of a touring musician and began his career as a drummer at an early age, receiving his first drum set at the age of two. Having taught himself throughout his childhood, he broke out into the professional music scene at the age of 18, joining theMonty Alexander group. Touring with the group launched him into the major jazz music scene, and he has played at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreux, Nice, and Athens etc., which culminated with his gigging with jazz-greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and Nina Simone. Eventually, after playing with a great variety of artists, Mayer moved away from jazz and into Drum 'n' Bass. Jojo Mayer is known for bringing together jazz, drum and bass, jungle, and other influences. He is also famous for his ability to play the rhythms of programmed jungle drum 'n' bass music on acoustic drums, terming this technique "reverse engineering", a phrase borrowed from computing.[1] He executes this approach using various methods such as the heel-toe bass drum technique, the Moeller stroke, and the "pull-out" or "push-pull" accent which takes the beat on the rebound. Using these techniques, he can play beats at astonishing speeds. A few of his main influences are Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette and Buddy Rich. He is the leader of live electronica trio Nerve, which he founded in 1997. He played with the guitarist David Fiuczynski in the avant-garde pop rock band Screaming Headless Torsos and in the fusion jazzband, Intergalactic Maiden Ballet. He ran the popular Prohibited Beatz live electronica party in NYC from 1996-2001.

Profile

Jojo Mayer

Movies

Architecture of Infinity
Architecture of Infinity
Himself
How can structures, which take up defined, rigid portions of space, make us feel transcendence? How can chapels turn into places of introspection? How can walls grant boundless freedom? Driven by intense childhood impressions, director Christoph Schaub visits extraordinary churches, both ancient and futuristic, and discovers works of art that take him up to the skies and all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. With the help of architects Peter Zumthor, Peter Märkli, and Álvaro Siza Vieira, artists James Turrell and Cristina Iglesias, and drummer Sergé “Jojo” Mayer, he tries to make sense of the world and decipher our spiritual experiences using the seemingly abstract concepts of light, time, rhythm, sound, and shape. The superb cinematography turns this contemplative search into a multi-sensory experience.
Architecture of Infinity
Architecture of Infinity
Music
How can structures, which take up defined, rigid portions of space, make us feel transcendence? How can chapels turn into places of introspection? How can walls grant boundless freedom? Driven by intense childhood impressions, director Christoph Schaub visits extraordinary churches, both ancient and futuristic, and discovers works of art that take him up to the skies and all the way down to the bottom of the ocean. With the help of architects Peter Zumthor, Peter Märkli, and Álvaro Siza Vieira, artists James Turrell and Cristina Iglesias, and drummer Sergé “Jojo” Mayer, he tries to make sense of the world and decipher our spiritual experiences using the seemingly abstract concepts of light, time, rhythm, sound, and shape. The superb cinematography turns this contemplative search into a multi-sensory experience.
Lunar Tribute
Lunar Tribute
Himself
When Rob Lewis saw an image of a family portrait lying on the surface of the moon, he realized there was a story behind the photograph smiling down on us still. The family is that of astronaut Charlie “Gee Whiz” Duke who left the photo there April 24, 1972 when he became the tenth and, at 36, the youngest man to walk on the moon. LUNAR TRIBUTE is the story of that photo and Charlie’s journey to the moon and back.
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons Part 2: A Guide to Foot Technique
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons Part 2: A Guide to Foot Technique
Contents include bass drum technique fundamentals including heel-down and heel-up playing, playing “in” vs. “out” of the bass drum, the pivot, bass drum hybrid techniques such as double strokes, the constant release technique, exploiting rebound/dislocated spring exercise, the rocking motion, the swiveling technique, the heel-toe technique, the Mayer power slide technique, grouping exercises, the Moeller pumping motion and Jojo’s personal “secret weapon” techniques.
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer 2
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer 2
Himself
Jojo Mayer has assembled the most comprehensive and detailed volume on hand technique for drummers ever available. As both an inspiring instructional method and highly entertaining reference guide,this DVD is invaluable to drummers of every skill level.
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer
Jojo Mayer: Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer
Himself
Jojo Mayer has assembled the most comprehensive and detailed volume on hand technique for drummers ever available. As both an inspiring instructional method and highly entertaining reference guide,this DVD is invaluable to drummers of every skill level.