Jojo Mayer

[Breakbeat Milo]

Jojo Mayer is to Drum&Bass what Buddy Rich to Jazz.

He IS the Drum n ' Bass Wizard.

Just watch and listen to his performance @ the Mendoza International Drum Fest (http://www.mendozadrumfest.com.ar) in Mendoza, Argentina.

I know you'll love him.



PEACE, LOVE and DRUMS....

[NUTHA JASON]

i agree. we need to pick up on content in general across the forums. we need to post more than just opinions. we need a bit of thought, a bit of back up. look at phonopunk's posts for as good example of valuable posting ... or glynes for an example of backed up opinion.

yeah and jojo is a wizard. i love his sense of humour on the video. plus the skill is all there. one day i will do a one handed roll like him...or die trying.

j

[Raymond Bloom]

Some pretty cool pictures that you haven't seen before http://www.pearldrummersforum.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Breakbeat Milo]

Wow!! Thanks!!
These pics are great..!!! Where did you get it?

[soulnomad]

Thanks for making us aware of this video. It's awesome!!
And here is one for you. Check out Thomas Pridgen at www.gospelchops.com (http://www.gospelchops.com) in the shed section. Video lesson #4. It's impressive as well.

[Breakbeat Milo]

He has performed with Gustavo Meli (http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341) in Chile, Brasil (Batuka! Drum Fest) and Argentina (Mendoza Drum Fest).

Gustavo is amazing. He controls 6 pedals on his left foot!!!!!!!

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341

Take a look at him.

bye!

[drumzalicious]

i'm going to be listning to alot of his stuff before the drum-off because i want to learn some Drum-n-Bass stuff.

[Stevis]

I think JoJo Mayer is an awsome srummer with good rhythm and control. Some of the stuff he plays, doesn't sound all that great to me, but for the most part most of it does and he's an awsome drummer.

[Drummer_Boy]

Jo Jo Mayer is awesome. I fell in love with all those funky beats and stuff that he plays.

[Breakbeat Milo]

Jojo performing some killer Drum n' Bass/Jungle grooves!!!

Click on the link:
http://files.filefront.com/JojoMayerDnBmpg/;4175146;;/fileinfo.html


This man... is from another planet.... believe....




Pd.: Just waiting for his performance on the Modern Drummer Festival 2005 DVD ....!!!!!!!!!

[Jaymasta]

Jojo performing some killer Drum n' Bass/Jungle grooves!!!

Click on the link:
http://files.filefront.com/JojoMayerDnBmpg/;4175146;;/fileinfo.html


This man... is from another planet.... believe....




Pd.: Just waiting for his performance on the Modern Drummer Festival 2005 DVD ....!!!!!!!!!
one of the best drummers I have seen. He is AMAZING simply AMAZING!!!!!! And I'm waiting for his performance on the DVD too!

[Breakbeat Milo]

Jojo Mayer performing @ HONDA Jazz 2004.
It's an entire clinic: He resumes the history of Dn'B and Jungle origin from the earlier breakbeat culture (manipulation of the "Amen Brother" and "Funky Drummer" breaks). He plays over a few Drum&Bass and House tracks. He also plays an incredible drum solo and explains a few hand techniques!!!! Do not miss this video!!!!!

Click on the link!:
http://files.filefront.com/Jojo_Mayer_DrumBass_Clinic/;4178917;;/fileinfo.html
(44 minutes and 224 MB long...)

Enjoy!

[Bernhard]

Yes Breakbeat - it's a great video.

Who filmed it? You?

Anyway, thanks for sharing...

Bernhard

[Breakbeat Milo]

Yes Breakbeat - it's a great video.

Who filmed it? You?

Anyway, thanks for sharing...

Bernhard

No. I didn't filmed that video...

[Womble]

Breakbeat Milo, I've been enjoying all your Jojo stuff, thanks for that, and yet I can't help the feeling that the problem with these drummers who try to play DnB is that they don't really know what good DnB is, and they're primarily drummers who realised they could create a niche for themselves by playing DnB beats. No matter how good they are at the drums (and Jojo's obviously VERY good), they seem to think that the playing great DnB involves going Boom...Bah...Boom-Bah, Boom...Bah...Boom-Bah, with a few ghost-notes thrown in. Does anyone know what I mean?

The only guy I've heard deliver a truly convincing interpretation of DnB on live drums was Marco Minnemann: it's a track called Kate, and it's the first one on his CD Broken Orange. Have you heard it? He plays some kind of auxillary snare (though someone from DW told me it was actually a roto-tom with snare wires attached) with his left foot, and the beat is phenomenal.

Womble

[Crazy]

Hi Guys I'm new in here and as I live in Switzerland and play drums I felt that this discussion about JoJo and DnB was a good way to start.

First of all, no doubt that this guy is amazing especially on speed and technique......nevertheless, I have a problem when I read (not on these postings but through other websites) that JoJo is THE man in DnB. He surely kicks ass, but anyone ever heard of Drum FM (Marque Gilmore)...the guy was into live DnB since the mid 90's but unfortunately not sufficiently talked about....if anyone has any videos of his live performances I would appreciate it

[rosni]

hi,

thx for that honda jazz movie, its awesome.

just added a discussion group for jojo mayer a few weeks ago on last.fm
http://www.last.fm/group/Jojo%2BMayer

so feel free to join!

bye,
rosni

[Tex12]

The Jo Jo Mayer video on this site are really great
You guys have to go check it out

[centralzeke]

Jo Jo Mayer is amazing. I want to play like this guy.

[Stu_Strib]

Check out the 1995 cd from Screaming Headless Torsos too.

[sonor master]

i think jojo is the best for make thing whit stick

[renmus50]

Anyone listen to JoJo's work with Grand Pianoramax? I recently became a big fan of Jojo, mostly for his ablitly to play with great technique but still play with great feeling and somewhat musically. I'm not a DnB fan, and I am relatively new to DnB, but I still really appreciate Jojo's work. Anyway, I dl'ed the tracks Starlite and Feudor from iTunes, and they are really great...they showcase a little different sense of his playing, and I would definately recomend them. I think JoJo really fills out this quote by Jack DeJohnette:
"You need enough technique so you can execute your ideas. But be careful not to acquire too much technique, otherwise it will rule your ideas.

[Womble]

"You need enough technique so you can execute your ideas. But be careful not to acquire too much technique, otherwise it will rule your ideas.

Wow, when did he say that? What a great sentiment. Though I would say that Vinnie is an exception.

[renmus50]

Jack said that for the April 2006 issue of Modern Drummer...but this thread is about JoJo :)

[Freddie Freeloader]

http://www.myspace.com/janekgwizdalaproject

been checking that out for a few weeks now.... that's our man jojo on the drums. very interesting music.

[MrChops]

He also play with Leo Tardin

www.myspace.com/leotardin

[Crazy]

For all you JoJo fans out there I saw his Nerve live act saturday night, it was such a blast !!! The guys played non stop for one hour without giving the music a break, incorporating all the moods; slow, fast break beat, repetetive loops, more "funk" grooves just awesome.

Unfortunately I didn't take my cam' to take some pics, but JoJo's hand were too fast to capture a pic anyways hahaha

The guy is so humble and plays with so much quality, amazing ! All I can say is "respect" !

[Tam]

Well im going to his performance here in perth on the 20th of june, i'll take it from you guys that its going to be a blast seeing how good Jo Jo mayer is!

[Raymond Bloom]

Well im going to his performance here in perth on the 20th of june, i'll take it from you guys that its going to be a blast seeing how good Jo Jo mayer is!
heh, I wanted to ask how was it, but hey, it's may not june right now :D

[Tam]

well you answered your own question lol, but i'll let you guys know how it went.

[Crazy]

well you answered your own question lol, but i'll let you guys know how it went.

It will be cool if you can get some pictures....I regret not having taken my cam'

[da cheese walks]

god JoJo is incredible!!


i mean hes such a showman!and his stuff is really really swish!!

i love the one foot double bass thing he does....an the one handed roll....

he also uses a beautiful kit!!Sonor all the way!!

[LinearDrummer]

Just got the old 1998 MD fest on video on this guy was amazing.....

Incredible hands with stick control and some really cool stick tricks too...I actually enjoyed this perfomance more than 2005 - wasn't really diggin his music on the new one.....

Video is a must for all JoJo fans....

[Melvin]

I love Jo Jo Mayer. He's one of my favorite drummers of all time. I love the Drum & Bass thing he's doing. He influenced me to get into this music and I'm currently playing Drum & Bass with some friends. It's very fun to play though a little complex when you are getting deeper into this music.

[superbatmat]

Jojo is also one of my favourite drummer ! My drum teacher knows him well and said to me that he is a nice guy! But on the other hand that he worked as a madman to arrive at this level of playing!

[ewanlaing]

i haven't heard anything quite like the nerve movies on drummerworld. improvised breakbeat, i think. every time i watch a video of him i think "wow, thats cool, why haven't i done that before?"
then i try and the answer is "because it's a helluva lot harder than it looks"
probably my favourite drummer at the moment.

[Tam]

Yah i went to his gig here in Perth and its was amazing, he is very energetic and and a master of techno music, he did some pretty cool stuff thats to hard to explain but it was definetly the best performance i have ever been to, and i also won a little laser light Sonor key chain in the raffle, some lucky guy got a new Sonor snare.

theres a review of the show on the link.

http://www.drum.com.au/reviews/june06.pdf

[0cean]

He's amazing... He's really amazing with his technical flipping etc.

Really fun to watch.

[B.R.O. THER ?]

Check out the 1995 cd from Screaming Headless Torsos too.

I was gonna say, "Why hasn't anyone mentioned Screaming Headless Torsos yet?!?!" his playing on the 1995 CD is amazing, I couldn't and still can't stop listening to that CD...Get it if you have the chance!

[d.c.drummer]

Jo Jo is definatly in my top 5 . He is great. Showmanship, musicality, and technique all in one beat making package. If I could have his stick control for 1 day, i would die a happy man.

[fatedrummer]

hey guys what heads does Jojo Mayer use. He uses Remo, but what type????

[hawk9290]

JoJo is awesome, he's performing at the Drum Daze festival here in Columbus (day long clinic w/ many big name drummers). That will be a great day- and I use his little stick flip trick thing all the time too.

[Frostilicus]

Well I'm still in awe of the guy. But... where are his "Nerve" CDs? And why does he tour in Austria and Switzerland but not the UK?

[Tomas_Gold]

There is one cd of Nerve i think..
Well, ive download it, but it doesnt has a name.
It isnt very cool... stay with the modern drummer festival ... hahaha

[katman]

Went to see Jojo at a drum clinic here in Cape Town last night. We never get this kind of thing, so seeing him in an awesome venue (I-max movie theatre with steep sloping seating) was a real treat.

What a humbling experience.

D&B, breakbeats etc. might not be everyone's cup of tea, but his whole approach to the clinic makes what he does so relevant. He manages to trace these modern styles back to old jazz, funk and soul roots and you realise what respect he has for MUSIC that speaks from a desire to create and move people, as opposed to a mere show of technique. Not that this man is lacking in the technique department.

At one stage he had to re-atttach his hi-hat clutch, but didn't stop his kick-drum improv or his chatting while doing so. He has incredible foot control, both on kick drum and hi-hat - sliding his special leather soled trainers back and forth across the pedal for a kind of up and down stroke.

And his hand speed and technique are inspiring. He pays great attention to getting many different voices from one instrument, so while he might just be playing on 2 snares, 1 kick, 3 toms and a modest selection of cymbals, his range of styles and sounds is almost endless.

Seems to be a pretty humble, grounded fellow too. I can highly recommend seeing him if he's ever in your neighbourhood.

[komodo]

Wish he did come to the UK! I think he is a brilliant musician and his technique is as someone mentioned inspiring. Just a joy to watch

[Raymond Bloom]

hey guys what heads does Jojo Mayer use. He uses Remo, but what type????
he uses Remo Coated Ambassadors on batter sides (including bass drum) and Clear Ambassadors on the reso sides!

[Bernhard]

Just a little warm up of my friend JoJo - little soundcheck yesterday..


http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerluz1.mov

Benhard

[Drummer Karl]

What a nice groove video. JoJo just impresses me with his groove, feel and skill. What a drummer...what a person.

PS: Wow, he was looking very shocked in the end though, haha what was the man in backround saying there?

Karl

[d.c.drummer]

Gosh, i wish i was him. Thanks for the vid. And i second Karl's question.

[Jeff Almeyda]

He moves so smoothly. Just great. Man, what a player.

[Class A Drummer]

Sounds awsome. What is that sizzling rope thingy he has attached to his crash cymbal? I like the sound it gives.

[mofle]

What is that sizzling rope thingy he has attached to his crash cymbal?

It is the the same kind ogf ''rope'' that you hang army tags on, the one with a lot of tiny steel balls. It allmost makes the same sound as a rivet...

(You can also use the ''rings'' around the cabasa, that is what I use. Very practical...)

http://www.topsecret.no/topsecret2/userhtml/products/DogTag.jpg http://www.cdmb.co.kr/mall/shop_image/MEINL_CABASA_300.jpg

[zambizzi]

Definitely one of my top 5 favorite drummers of all time, his right foot is not of this world. It's cool to see him just throwin' his chops around in a less-than-perfect manner...just casual.

I think he was getting into the zone and someone snapped him out of it there at the end...his eyes almost popped out of his head!

[kacperivo]

whoa! i always admired him for his drum'n'bass stuff, but now it turns out he's great in more downtempo beats! definitely one of the greatest of our times!

[00Schneider]

Hell....

Why does those fu... crazy events only take place in switzerland?! That's not fair... join the EU, for same conditions for everyone!


@Karl: Er sagt "Hey JoJo, d' hoascht koine CDs dabieh?" - "Neei."

Apropos, is the Nerve CD finally available, does anybody know?


But I'm pleased, he still wears the shirt... :-)

[Drummer Karl]

Ahhh...thanks Schneider, finally I understood it! haha, how can you understand that? lol

thanks again...love this video.

Karl

[fourstringdrums]

Awesome Bernhard, Thanks. It was nice hear JoJo just laying down a great groove like that. Very tasteful and inspiring. I loved how the toms sounded as well.

[katman]

Hah, Jojo is awesome. He came to South Africa for a drum clinic a few weeks ago and it was a humbling experience. Seems like a real down-to-earth guy too.

[Bernhard]

The extended hand-technique demonstration is here (50MB)

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersololong.mov

enjoy...

Bernhard

[NUTHA JASON]

man jojo has incredible stamina.

that sounded like riverdance meets africa

thanks bernhard

[Raymond Bloom]

AMAZING! Bernhard, you probably know, how much Jojo has been an influence on me, I wouldn't be what I am now if I hadn't got those few lessons with him, he's the man, pure genious!

btw, did you ask him about his instructional dvd? The last time we talk, he sayed it will be available at spring...! Nothing yet...eh

[Bernhard]

AMAZING! Bernhard, you probably know, how much Jojo has been an influence on me, I wouldn't be what I am now if I hadn't got those few lessons with him, he's the man, pure genious!

btw, did you ask him about his instructional dvd? The last time we talk, he sayed it will be available at spring...! Nothing yet...eh

Yes, the DVD will come out very soon. A firstclass distributor was found.

Here again the extended Solo:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersololong.mov

Bernhard

[Raymond Bloom]

Yes, the DVD will come out very soon. A firstclass distributor was found.

Here again the extended Solo:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersololong.mov

Bernhard
Great news! Jojo Mayer is not only a genious drummer, he's an awsome teacher, at least for me, I have had a bounch of clinics and private lessons from some really great drummers, including Dave Weckl, but none of them have made me improve that much as Jojo, I'm really looking forward to that day when his dvd is comming out!

[fourstringdrums]

Yes, the DVD will come out very soon. A firstclass distributor was found.

Here again the extended Solo:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersololong.mov

Bernhard

Wow...that was amazing. The shear stamina, tasteful chops, and musicaility...wow. If there is any drummer that younger drummers just coming up should be getting inspired by, it's him.

Can't wait for his instructional video!

[00Schneider]

Ahhh...thanks Schneider, finally I understood it! haha, how can you understand that? lol
Well, as an mostly Franconian living close to the border of Saxony and Thuringia with parents from Middle-Franconia and Munich, I had to deal with several (strange) dialects... ;-)

[gcarlet]

The extended hand-technique demonstration is here (50MB)

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersololong.mov

enjoy...

Bernhard

LOL! Oh man! That was freaking awesome! It makes me laugh, cause it is so good.

[SickRick]

Well..... the first Video was insane. The second one reminded me of a Video from Steve Smith in which he does almost exactly the same thing.

The stamina and speed it sick though...

One of the best players alive.

[Class A Drummer]

Wow that bigger video is just ridiculous. He is a true master of finger control.

[d.c.drummer]

if i could ever achive that, i would have a permanent smile on my face.

[LinearDrummer]

Yes, the DVD will come out very soon. A firstclass distributor was found.

Bernhard

Can't wait for a DVD....

Man its just not fair to be that good :P

[TheSteve]

Who's publishing the DVD?

[Michael G]

Joyful indeed, wow some good videos. I love how good your connections are with drummers like JoJo that you are able to get this kind of stuff, thanks!

[Bernhard]

Joyful Noise - a night to remember.....

Those Videos and Pics i made last Saturday in Lucerne, Switzerland

(7 Videos)


http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/joyfulnoiseduet.html

Take a look also at the special DrumShoe of JoJo - needed for his Bassdrumtechnique:

http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drumpics9/jojomayershoe.jpg

..leather sole

Bernhard
__________________

[DogBreath]

Jojo is so amazing. I hope that I get to see him play live someday.

[da cheese walks]

Joyful Noise - a night to remember.....

Those Videos and Pics i made last Saturday in Lucerne, Switzerland

(7 Videos)


http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/joyfulnoiseduet.html

Take a look also at the special DrumShoe of JoJo - needed for his Bassdrumtechnique:

http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drumpics9/jojomayershoe.jpg

..leather sole

Bernhard
__________________

wow....customized cons....

Has anyone heard anything about JoJos "strange balls of fire" project?I was emailing him to ask him about Nerve,and if there was any possibility he was coming to Ireland...of course Nerve arent coming to Ireland....we couldnt appreciate it....but seemingly his new rock band "Strange Balls of fire" are coming in or around October??but i cant find a word about this band on the internet.....[shock horror!!something not on the internet!!]

[Jonny the Drummer]

Hey, does anyone know what kit and finish jojo's using in that grrove vid? It looks like an old Phonic.. I think he used the same kit but 6 pc. in this vid: http://drummerworld.com/Videos/JojoMayer.html - one of my fav set ups.. it looks soooo comfy. GOTTA LOVE THAT HAIR :D

[chaoticharmonyIL]

wait you were emailing jojo? how? ive been wanting to find out something about his drumset forever and i cant find it anywhere on the internet...

[00Schneider]

Hey, does anyone know what kit and finish jojo's using in that grrove vid? It looks like an old Phonic.. I think he used the same kit but 6 pc. in this vid: http://drummerworld.com/Videos/JojoMayer.html - one of my fav set ups.. it looks soooo comfy. GOTTA LOVE THAT HAIR :D
I think it's a Sonor Lite in Scandinavian Birch. He still likes and also uses it, as you can see on actual photos: www.drummerworld.com/drummers/JOJO_Mayer.html

[Pywacket]

I recently got JoJo's Secret Weapons dvd and I am learning so much about technique from it. He really is a very talented drummer and eager to share his knowledge in a way that we can all understand and learn by. I'd recommend it, along with Pat Petrillo's dvd, to drummers of all levels!

[The Rev #2]

In my opinion, prabably the best drummer playing right now. I mean who could you think of that's better? He has the best hand technique i've ever seen and his dvd is amazing.

[Ben Tormey]

I like JoJo even more after watching clips from his DVD, he comes across as an intelligent, thoughtful and funny guy. I find personality affects my judgment of drummers a great deal, I find arrogance distasteful.

[druid]

i've watched only the first DVD so far....three times. Planning on going thru disc Two soon.

[Slazaar]

definitely a good video, still cant believe the only thing a guy who used to instruct me said,'he just talks a lot...' geeez....
anyway, is this Jojo's first and only instructional document so far? or does he have any other instructional dvds/books

[sullyhit@yahoo.com]

Does anyone know how to access the pdf exercises in the Jojo Mayer dvd? I cant find it on any of the 2 disks in the menu.

[Wavelength]

Does anyone know how to access the pdf exercises in the Jojo Mayer dvd? I cant find it on any of the 2 disks in the menu.

Open the DVD in your computer's Explorer (or equivalent). You should find the PDF folder quite easily.

[Wavelength]

is this Jojo's first and only instructional document so far? or does he have any other instructional dvds/books

It's the first and the only one.

[foursticks]

Reckon Jojo is a prime example of how the mastery of technique allows one's musical vocabulary, for fullest expression of one's self.

[brittc89]

Reckon Jojo is a prime example of how the mastery of technique allows one's musical vocabulary, for fullest expression of one's self.

BUt isnt it ironic how capable of sounding like a computer he is?

[slingerland755]

BUt isnt it ironic how capable of sounding like a computer he is?

hmmmmm...not sure about that one.

[aydee]

I've just gone thru the 1st half of the DVD and it is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen.

The logic behind hand techniques could not be explained /demonstrated better IMO. Its a one-stop place for answers to a lot of threads that people might have on the forum about hand techniques, issues , problems, tips, visualizations, positions etc

its also extremely well produced, demonstrating everything from every angle, in slow motion, impact areas etc.

Britt, since the man's musical vision is to reverse engineer and recreate the computer live & acoustically, I would'nt be surprised that he sounds like one ; )

........and a dang good one at that!

[cantstandyourfunk]

In my opinion, prabably the best drummer playing right now. I mean who could you think of that's better

why'd you even wanna think that way?
Jojo's amazing, and he's one of my all-time fave drummers. but i don't really see the logic behind those best-drummer polls

[druid]

where can I find other stuff he has played on?? ( Nerve, prohibited beats etc) I have screaming headless torsos....crazy and great playing.

[slingerland755]

I've just gone thru the 1st half of the DVD and it is one of the best instructional videos I have ever seen.

The logic behind hand techniques could not be explained /demonstrated better IMO. Its a one-stop place for answers to a lot of threads that people might have on the forum about hand techniques, issues , problems, tips, visualizations, positions etc

its also extremely well produced, demonstrating everything from every angle, in slow motion, impact areas etc.

Britt, since than man's musical vision is to reverse engineer and recreate the computer live & accoustically, I would be surprised that he sounds like one ; )

........and a dang good one at that!

Thanks Abe,
You just cinced it for me. Im ordering it now.

[pass the peas]

Early in this thread somebody intimated that JoJo just came to drum and bass as a way to make a niche for himself, that he didn't truly understand drum and bass, and was just playing fast boomdabooms. I think that's just silly. To me, JoJo more embodies the drum and bass aesthetic with his single bass pedal and hi-hat than some cat with 9 pedals and a bunch of splash cymbals.

[toddy]

JoJo is way too cool.

[Dr_Funky]

Man, I'd love to have Jojo's hand technique.

Kudos to him for making such an awesome drum DVD (Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer) as well as his brilliant performance for the 2005 MD Festival.

[king fail]

OH MY GOD
watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMGnY5O7RS8


has he actually switched to DW?!?
am I going crazy?
someone please reply ASAP >8(

[Derek]

Confession time here. Although I've known of Jojo for a while now and seen video of him, I've only recently (past several weeks) really started truly appreciating him and seeking more of Jojo.

Good grief, this guy is amazing ! I must get some recordings with him.

[slingerland755]

OH MY GOD
watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMGnY5O7RS8


has he actually switched to DW?!?
am I going crazy?
someone please reply ASAP >8(

It's been removed. Which vid was it?

[king fail]

It's been removed. Which vid was it?

if i remember correctly, it was a video of jojo playing at a swiss jazz festival recently;
but more importantly, he was playing a DW kit
D:

[trysthedrummer]

I'll be seing Mayer at the Music show in London! Can't wait, he's an excellent player. One I look upto, his hand technique is quite something...

That Dvd is amazing!

[metalslugger5]

he is my favorite drummer and the dvd he has is great!!!!

[cantstandyourfunk]

Hi Guys I'm new in here and as I live in Switzerland and play drums I felt that this discussion about JoJo and DnB was a good way to start.

First of all, no doubt that this guy is amazing especially on speed and technique......nevertheless, I have a problem when I read (not on these postings but through other websites) that JoJo is THE man in DnB. He surely kicks ass, but anyone ever heard of Drum FM (Marque Gilmore)...the guy was into live DnB since the mid 90's but unfortunately not sufficiently talked about....if anyone has any videos of his live performances I would appreciate it

Marque 'Innamost' Gilmore.My friend. Burning it with State of Bengal.

How strange you'd be talking of a superb but highly under-appreciated drummer.

[king fail]

Does anyone have any idea when his next performance is?
i can't find anything from drummerlive 08 apart from the one video on the vic firth website, and imho, that was not his most interesting performance :(

seriously, they should put a mr.mayer timetable up here lol, i'm getting cranky :|
anyone?

[Citizen Insane]

Jojo is incredible, easily one of the best in the world.

[Tom Sawyer]

One of my biggest influences. The Secret Weapons Dvd is a toolbox, this guy really helped my playing a lot.

[catchagato]

Does anyone know what kind of mic he uses for the kick? I've done some searching around online for pictures and videos, and sometimes he's using a different mic. I want to say he consistently uses some sort of Shure microphone, but I can't be too positive. Any input?

[Ironcobra]

Not going to read everything that has been said on this thread, but I just wanted to point out a few things that I never got around to doing before.

Jojo has got to be in the top 5 for greatest drummers. Hes technique is amazing, after watching a few clips from his new DVD, I'm going to invest in it soon. He has this groove that's going on inside of him that allows him to always keep perfect time, sure, were all supposed to have it but his is different.

[Skinsman38]

oh sheez this guy is an epic player. Easily belongs in the pantheons of the greats. I'd call him an influence but his ability is so above mine I'd probably just say that he's inspired me. Two main things that watching him and seeing his dvd are doing for my playing is making me focus on consistency and precision. He's inspired me to play hip-hop and electronica beats where as before I was starting to learn to play more metal styled stuff. I like the groove and this guy lays it down and keeps it there.

[AronMapex]

Found this pic of his kit a while ago:

[Rockingfreakapotamus]

I think Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer should be made an essential part of any Drum curriculum in an educational context.

I just started back on my degree in music and im going to insist the lecturer watches it, if he has not done so already.

[drumhead61]

Hearing you say that excites me even more I should be getting that in the mail today!!! YESSSSSSSS Thanks for that...JOJO is awesome!!!!!!

I think Secret Weapons For The Modern Drummer should be made an essential part of any Drum curriculum in an educational context.

I just started back on my degree in music and im going to insist the lecturer watches it, if he has not done so already.

[Raymond Bloom]

I have an awesome 35 minute long interview with Jojo that you will see pretty soon, stay tuned...! :)

[drumhead61]

JoJo is totally amazing...I just started drumming and therefore have voraciously been doing all the learning and investigating of drummers that I possibly can through this site and other venues...I recently shared some of JoJo's clips with a friend of mine that I work with who has been a drummer for years and he was astounded by JoJo! The guy is simply phenomenal to say the least...I receieved his DVD yesterday and am getting ready to start digesting it today ;-)

[blink44]

jojo mayer is my top influences :D gained so much knowledge from his dvd.

[Vinnysimmo]

I have an awesome 35 minute long interview with Jojo that you will see pretty soon, stay tuned...! :)

Looking forward to it, mate.

[king fail]

Looking forward to it, mate.

I'll second that! :)
Going to a Mayer MASTERCLASS ON FRIDAY!!

pictures will be uploaded :)

[Therma lobsterdore]

Yah I'm going to one tomorrow night, can't freakin wait!

[Steady Freddy]

I bought his DVD yesterday. The best I've found so far for explaining technique in great detail. Awesome drummer!

[king fail]

Just got back from a masterclass, it was AMAZING. ok to be honest, i didn't learn as much as i had hoped, but i guess that's what you get for studying him so extensively lol.


Due to the crap sound system, he didn't play along to jabon, syncopath etc, but instead improvised (YAY :D)

Anyway, the performance(s) were absolutely B A N A N A S, as you might expect (i was surprised at how loud his cymbals were) and i got see all the signature Jojo licks and tricks, as well as some cool unexpected stuff.

Sadly, my camera isn't as good as i thought it was LOL, and the pictures aren't all that great;


http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc32/misterbeefcakes/DSCF7146.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc32/misterbeefcakes/DSCF7144.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc32/misterbeefcakes/DSCF7139.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc32/misterbeefcakes/DSCF7136.jpg

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc32/misterbeefcakes/DSCF7150.jpg



I also captured a 5 min not-great-quality-but-not-dire video, may link to it later :)

[drumhead61]

I bought his DVD yesterday. The best I've found so far for explaining technique in great detail. Awesome drummer!

I have to agree with that...awesome drummer and awesome DVD

[outu]

I have an awesome 35 minute long interview with Jojo that you will see pretty soon, stay tuned...! :)

where is that? ^-^
cant wait tooo seee thaaat!!!

[king fail]

heyy guys, here's a little video from his masterclass yesterday. i apologize for the slightly retarded camerwork, but nonetheless, it was a great performance, as per :)

http://vimeo.com/1631594?pg=transcoded_embed&sec=1631594

[Therma lobsterdore]

Nice video man! I got two of him from the clinic on thursday, I'll put them up pretty soon. What did he chat about anywho? He was going on about the history of the drums when I saw him, he demonstrated beats from pretty much every style of popular music from the last centuary, no wonder the guys so unique...seems like he can play any style pretty much and he mixes them all together brilliantly.

[king fail]

Nice video man! I got two of him from the clinic on thursday, I'll put them up pretty soon. What did he chat about anywho? He was going on about the history of the drums when I saw him, he demonstrated beats from pretty much every style of popular music from the last centuary, no wonder the guys so unique...seems like he can play any style pretty much and he mixes them all together brilliantly.

OHHH YEAHH please do :)

Yeah man, that's what makes him so amazing for me, i have yet to see anything that he HASN'T mastered, y'know, where most drummers have their specific genres, or their signature technique (johnny rabb lol, jojo did demonstrate application of the one-handed roll, and trust me, he does it a LOT better than rabb :D), Jojo just has EVERYTHING.

uhh, it was like a brief q&a session followed by a long performance, and to be honest, i wasn't to thrilled with the questions lol ("Why are you holding your stick funny in your left hand?" "do you play double bass?") ugh.

although funnily enough, i was shocked to learn that back in the late 80's he DID play DB and was in loads of speed metal bands!

yeah, he didn't any kind of lecture or talk or anything , it was just a few lame questions from the audience i'm afraid

[trysthedrummer]

He's got a clinic in Gainsborough on the 4th, very close to me.

[Therma lobsterdore]

I finally got my video's uploaded, here they are...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uKpsCDVzDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvafj3s1boU

First one is mostly brushes, second is the end of a solo he did, I started filming just as he started to play the crap outta his drumset!


although funnily enough, i was shocked to learn that back in the late 80's he DID play DB and was in loads of speed metal bands!

yeah, he didn't any kind of lecture or talk or anything , it was just a few lame questions from the audience i'm afraid

Woah I would love to hear him playing speed metal, did he mention any band names? Sounds like your clinic was a bit different from the one I went to, but then again there couldn't have been more than 40 people or so at the clinic, it was at a really tiny place! He talked/played for two solid hours, then only took questions at the end.

Oh yeah he mentioned that he's gonna be making a secret weapons style doovda for foot technique, can't wait for that!

[king fail]

WOOOHOOOOOO!! YEAH! cheers dude ;D
unfortunately he didn't give any names :( although i bet his foot technique x2 would be RIDICULOUS

Yeah, i think our experiences were very different, the only things i left were great memories and a signed drumhead, the Q&A with the nottingham audience was just basically lots of long silences, occasionally interrupted by myself (lol)
i imagine yours was more educational.

either way, WOOOOHOOOOO!!!!
can't wait for mr.bloom's 35 min video :D



I finally got my video's uploaded, here they are...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uKpsCDVzDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvafj3s1boU

First one is mostly brushes, second is the end of a solo he did, I started filming just as he started to play the crap outta his drumset!



Woah I would love to hear him playing speed metal, did he mention any band names? Sounds like your clinic was a bit different from the one I went to, but then again there couldn't have been more than 40 people or so at the clinic, it was at a really tiny place! He talked/played for two solid hours, then only took questions at the end.

Oh yeah he mentioned that he's gonna be making a secret weapons style doovda for foot technique, can't wait for that!

[chimpy3]

I went to the clinic in Cardiff- it was absolutley insane! Im hoping to get up to the Cardiff percussion House to check out the kit he played on...

[DionT]

One of my favorite drummers hands down. His dynamics and stick control are amazing.

[Hercraft]

I have an awesome 35 minute long interview with Jojo that you will see pretty soon, stay tuned...! :)


Cant wait a minute more!!! LOL

[The Rev #2]

Can you honestly think of anybody that is better than Jojo? right now that is.

[Breadmonkey]

Cant wait a minute more!!! LOL

Oh Ray, you tease....

[blink44]

heyy guys, here's a little video from his masterclass yesterday. i apologize for the slightly retarded camerwork, but nonetheless, it was a great performance, as per :)

http://vimeo.com/1631594?pg=transcoded_embed&sec=1631594

what is he doing with his left foot at the end?

[king fail]

what is he doing with his left foot at the end?

It's another brilliant idea of his - he applies pressure to the head with his left foot to heighten the pitch of the drum, with spectacular results :)

[Swiss Matthias]

Just came home from a Jojo clinic here in Switzerland.
Again I was absolutely stunned and amazed, the guy is just ridiculous and phenomenal! Technically brillant (of course), musical, diverse, exciting, dynamical, funny, and very unique in his style of playing.

Inspiring!!

By the way, because someone asked him to, he even played some blast beats! And of course he absolutely smoked!!!

[Bernhard]

The Swiss Drumclinic Videos are up now:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersolo08.html

- and yes: a Blast Beat is in video 3:
DIFFERENT GROOVES - HOUSE - BLASTBEATZ - R&B

Enjoy

Bernhard

[Swiss Matthias]

Cool, thank you Bernhard!

[Tutin]

The Swiss Drumclinic Videos are up now:

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayersolo08.html

- and yes: a Blast Beat is in video 3:
DIFFERENT GROOVES - HOUSE - BLASTBEATZ - R&B

Enjoy

Bernhard

Hahaha! Yeah he played a blast beat at the clinic in Edinburgh, it got a great reception haha.

[king fail]

Hey everyone!

on another of my web trawls for footage of Jojo, I found this. (http://www.vimeo.com/2505756)

ahh, a great video of him from back in the day, playing for his good friend marco tempest (who I believe also co-produced secret weapons) on on of those ancient e-kits that are really just oversized vic firth practice pads thrown together with some triggers ;)

I heard somewhere that he played on a TV show with a magician once, so yeah this is probably it.


enjoy!


oh, and by the way, I'm still waiting for Mr.Bloom's 35 min interview.... ;)

[Swiss Matthias]

Now THAT'S cool, hehe! Thanks king fail!

[Panos_from_greece!]

hi guys , i hope i'm not that much offtopic , but i searched and have yet to find any critics about jojo's dvd.Isn't it AMAZING? :D

[kwolf68]

I really think if you were to ask me who I think is the greatest drummer in the world, I'd have a hard time not saying JoJo Mayer.

[Pavlos]

Well I'm still in awe of the guy. But... where are his "Nerve" CDs? And why does he tour in Austria and Switzerland but not the UK?

His instructional DVD has helped me alot. It's great. But yeah, where are the Nerve CDs? After I saw the 4 songs they did at Modern Drummer fest I thought they must have a CD or two out, but I can't find anything. I appreciate the live improv aspect of playing electronic music that JoJo is going for alot, but I would love a CD of Nerve (live or studio.)

So does anyone know if any Nerve stuff was released ?

[slingerland755]

http://www.amazon.com/Nerve-Ulu/dp/B00015HV88

I think this will help.

[Pavlos]

http://www.amazon.com/Nerve-Ulu/dp/B00015HV88

I think this will help.

Thanks, but The artist is Ulu and the name of the album is Nerve. The comment section even says :

"This is a good CD, but anyone looking for Jo Jo Mayer's Drum and Bass Project Nerve this is the wrong CD!! "

Got me going for a second there.

[slingerland755]

Sorry about that.......

[Funky Crêpe]

in jojo's clinic in basel 2008....its on this site
when he is playing the brushes he get quite a unique sound off of his tom close enough to the start of the solo...
he hits it and then brushes the back of the brush over the drum......have a look.....i cant seem to figure out what he does!

[jjmason777]

in jojo's clinic in basel 2008....its on this site
when he is playing the brushes he get quite a unique sound off of his tom close enough to the start of the solo...
he hits it and then brushes the back of the brush over the drum......have a look.....i cant seem to figure out what he does!

He hits the drum with his brush, then with the other hand, he pushes his finger across the head from the rim to the center, producing what I've heard called a whale sound. You may need to lick your finger to get your finger to sort of stick and slip against the head. It depends on what kind of head you use. It works better on smooth heads. That's it.

[Funky Crêpe]

He hits the drum with his brush, then with the other hand, he pushes his finger across the head from the rim to the center, producing what I've heard called a whale sound. You may need to lick your finger to get your finger to sort of stick and slip against the head. It depends on what kind of head you use. It works better on smooth heads. That's it.

thanks for that...hes such an innovative drummer....best drummer in the world today.,....HANDS DOWN!...someone who can play jazz like he can, but also jungle music!>...i mean come on!!

[Swiss Matthias]

That just makes the diameter of the head smaller, so to speak, and thus the pitch higher. It's a beautiful effect when executed so well and in the right place, like Jojo does.

[Chris LIS]

this guy is a rhythmic and innovative genius. i love him.

[Class A Drummer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTSp-0eDVfE slight delay with the audio, but its still incredible knowing he is going at that speed for so long. His endurance is crazy.

[Funky Crêpe]

the best drummer alive, hands down......he doesnt get enough credit, people like weckl get it all!
i just got jojo's dvd and.,..WOW! how can one man do all that!...an inspiration.....and a genius too!

[michael drums]

Can you honestly think of anybody that is better than Jojo? right now that is.

Vinnie Colaiuta comes to mind.

Dennis Chambers is a thought.

Two guys that are somewhat similar to his style.


You asked. I answered. ;-)


But, don't think I don't like JoJo for 1 milli-second. He is absolutely awesome. No doubt! And one of my top 5 living right now.

[Class A Drummer]

Can you honestly think of anybody that is better than Jojo? right now that is.

It depends in which aspect of drumming you are talking about. (Speed, technique, style, genre of music).

[Skinsman38]

Vinnie Colaiuta comes to mind.

Dennis Chambers is a thought.

Two guys that are somewhat similar to his style.


You asked. I answered. ;-)


But, don't think I don't like JoJo for 1 milli-second. He is absolutely awesome. No doubt! And one of my top 5 living right now.


I've got nothing but an incredible amount of respect for Colaiuta and Chambers...and Rich, Weckl, Williams, etc etc etc and while I wouldn't say I'm a scholar on the best drummers, Jojo is truly a wonderkind. Colaiuta has massive chops and technique but I can't say that he makes me want to move in the groove like Jojo's playing does. Chambers has that swagger, groove plus fantastic chops but doesn't seem to be as truly versatile with the same level of dexterity and nimbleness that Jojo has in my opinion. Marco Minneman is a drummer that I think is pushing the envelope too but still Jojo is monstrously versatile with his incredible chops. He finds the groove and is tasteful even when he's throwing down some insane polyrhythmic 4 limbed hydra beat. The only thing I haven't seen Mayer do is pure metal. I have no doubt he can do it but I've never heard him try.

[king fail]

I've got nothing but an incredible amount of respect for Colaiuta and Chambers...and Rich, Weckl, Williams, etc etc etc and while I wouldn't say I'm a scholar on the best drummers, Jojo is truly a wonderkind. Colaiuta has massive chops and technique but I can't say that he makes me want to move in the groove like Jojo's playing does. Chambers has that swagger, groove plus fantastic chops but doesn't seem to be as truly versatile with the same level of dexterity and nimbleness that Jojo has in my opinion. Marco Minneman is a drummer that I think is pushing the envelope too but still Jojo is monstrously versatile with his incredible chops. He finds the groove and is tasteful even when he's throwing down some insane polyrhythmic 4 limbed hydra beat. The only thing I haven't seen Mayer do is pure metal. I have no doubt he can do it but I've never heard him try.

I'm with you there my friend, and I am happy to report that Jojo was in many speed metal bands in the 80's, and If you check out one of the DW videos of him playing in switzerland recently, you can see him play a damn fine blast beat!
If you find some of his material (eg: the 1995 album by the Screaming Headless Torsos) he sounds SO SO much like Vinnie. There are a lot of Vinnie wannabes out there, but when Jojo went through his Vinnie phase, he really studied every little aspect of his playing. I swear if you closed your eyes you'd think it was Vinnie!

[diosdude]

Jojo deserves much more notariety in the drumming community. It is good to see such an overwhelming appeal for Jojo on this forum. IMO, he's one of the top five drummers alive and one of the top drummers of all time

[Swiss Matthias]

To be honest - and I'm somewhat disappointed by myself to have to say that - I believe Vinnie is more musical and versatile than Jojo. Vinnie is still one of a kind totally, IMO.
I recently saw Jojo with his jazz trio "Depart", which was great, but it struck me that Jojo has more of "his niche", his thing to play than I thought; and he is more of a (creative) groove player than an interactive guy when playing.

[Funky Crêpe]

although he is the best now.....the nearest competitor....from the recent past (even though he is still palying, not his hayday!)......is steve gadd
my 2 favourites....the difference in my opinion is jojo is more technical, while gadd is a better feel drummer..

just a quick comment on my 2 fav's!

[mattsmith]

Jojo Mayer is one of the most important drummers of the past 20 years, and maybe the most technically proficient. He's an amazing performer, a natural educator, a role model---the whole nine yards.

But is it OK to just say enough already, without that seeming like a terrible thing? Has Jojo Mayer really become...yes, the Chuck Norris of drumming? Are all teachers now obsolete because of a single DVD, interpreted on this and other forums 1000 different ways? Does Jojo's getting up in the morning really mean that Vinnie C, Brian Blade, Ari H, Jack DeJohnette and Gadd have to go back to bed? Does the mere mention of the name Jojo Mayer singlehandedly accelerate the cause of world peace while making all the flowers in springtime seem just a little brighter?

Is this Jojo Mayer's intention? Well I don't know him, but I did get to interact with him briefly at NAMM, and he seemed like one of the nicest guys in the world, and as self effacing as they come. I just don't think this unquestioning hero loving madness is his MO. And I'm not so sure this stuff will work to his benefit in a future time, when people who really aren't paying that much attention, start looking for another flavor.

That would be a shame for this remarkable man, because a legacy such as his should be remembered for a long time.

[king fail]

Jojo Mayer is one of the most important drummers of the past 20 years, and maybe the most technically proficient. He's an amazing performer, a natural educator, a role model---the whole nine yards.

But is it OK to just say enough already, without that seeming like a terrible thing? Has Jojo Mayer really become...yes, the Chuck Norris of drumming? Are all teachers now obsolete because of a single DVD, interpreted on this and other forums 1000 different ways? Does Jojo's getting up in the morning really mean that Vinnie C, Brian Blade, Ari H, Jack DeJohnette and Gadd have to go back to bed? Does the mere mention of the name Jojo Mayer singlehandedly accelerate the cause of world peace while making all the flowers in springtime seem just a little brighter?

Is this Jojo Mayer's intention? Well I don't know him, but I did get to interact with him briefly at NAMM, and he seemed like one of the nicest guys in the world, and as self effacing as they come. I just don't think this unquestioning hero loving madness is his MO. And I'm not so sure this stuff will work to his benefit in a future time, when people who really aren't paying that much attention, start looking for another flavor.

That would be a shame for this remarkable man, because a legacy such as his should be remembered for a long time.

Matt, I'm always impressed with your posts, you have such a great way with words.


Anyway... I think you do have a point there... Jojo made a great product, and unfortunately a lot have misinterpreted it completely; he's now known by many only as a technical phenomenon, a master of his limbs - not as an artist, a musician. One DVD will never make teachers obsolete - I can't think of one thing my snare teacher has taught me that has buried it self deep into my conscience and revolutionized my playing, but my playing has improved massively overall; It's the little things, the stickings, the phrasing, the stick heights, the little comments that all added up to boost my ability. No DVD has given me that thus far.

I agree, I think some people (myself thoroughly included) appear to be going at least slightly OTT with the Jojo appreciation, but of course as wonderfully versatile as he is, Jojo will never be mistaken for Vinnie, Tony or Steve (etc.) and his achievements can, should and will never bring down the legends from their well deserved place in the limelight.

For me though, Jojo will always find a way to make me smile. He may never be extremely well known and initiated into "the scene", but he is my number one inspiration. Steve Gadd inspired thousands, perhaps millions in his prime when he burst onto the scene. Many dissect his phrases, try to replicate what he does and just worship him in general; Jojo is my Steve Gadd in that sense.

If Steve was to switch places with Jojo, Steve being the rising star, and Jojo being debatably the most influential drummer of all time, would anyone have problem with Jojo worship? Should fame dictate how well a person is respected by individuals like myself?

[mattsmith]

If Steve was to switch places with Jojo, Steve being the rising star, and Jojo being debatably the most influential drummer of all time, would anyone have problem with Jojo worship? Should fame dictate how well a person is respected by individuals like myself?

That's an interesting supposition, but probably doesn't apply in this case, because of the eras we live in. When Gadd was coming up, the drum world still had Rich, Williams, Bellson, Bonham, Roach and all 3 Jones' /Elvin, Joe, Philly Joe/ in their primes. Then if that wasn't enough, you had Cobham, DeJohnette and Lenny White making their initial push, Columby, Garibaldi and Seraphine anchoring rock horn bands we still talk about today, Purdie and Stubblefield turning the recording world on its head, and Carl Palmer essentially creating the prog rock agenda.

There are many, many great drummers out there now, but can we really say that the current competitive landscape is on a late 60s to mid 70s level? See, that's the era when Gadd not only entered the scene, but rose to its highest level, which to me makes the role reveral scenario with Mayer an uneven comparison. There is no way that the gap was big enough in that era to have created the kind of over the top hero worship you see now for one guy.

Yes, there are numerous technical phenoms out there now, but is innovation combined with skillset really on par with those times?

By the late 70s, Gadd had already been the drummer on numerous breakthrough recordings. And as great as Jojo Mayer is, his body of musical works has yet to come close to where Gadd was at a similar point in his career. We also sometimes forget that Mayer is already pushing 50, not exactly the true definition of a rising star.

Now does all that diminish who Mayer is as a drummer and a musician? No. I agree with those legions who make a case for him being one of the true greats of his era. But the situation is what it is.

[Funky Crêpe]

That's an interesting supposition, but probably doesn't apply in this case, because of the eras we live in. When Gadd was coming up, the drum world still had Rich, Williams, Bellson, Bonham, Roach and all 3 Jones' /Elvin, Joe, Philly Joe/ in their primes. Then if that wasn't enough, you had Cobham, DeJohnette and Lenny White making their initial push, Columby, Garibaldi and Seraphine anchoring rock horn bands we still talk about today, Purdie and Stubblefield turning the recording world on its head, and Carl Palmer essentially creating the prog rock agenda.

There are many, many great drummers out there now, but can we really say that the current competitive landscape is on a late 60s to mid 70s level? See, that's the era when Gadd not only entered the scene, but rose to its highest level, which to me makes the role reveral scenario with Mayer an uneven comparison. There is no way that the gap was big enough in that era to have created the kind of over the top hero worship you see now for one guy.

Yes, there are numerous technical phenoms out there now, but is innovation combined with skillset really on par with those times?

By the late 70s, Gadd had already been the drummer on numerous breakthrough recordings. And as great as Jojo Mayer is, his body of musical works has yet to come close to where Gadd was at a similar point in his career. We also sometimes forget that Mayer is already pushing 50, not exactly the true definition of a rising star.

Now does all that diminish who Mayer is as a drummer and a musician? No. I agree with those legions who make a case for him being one of the true greats of his era. But the situation is what it is.


your coments always make me think matt!....thanks for your contribution to the forum!...
Gadd wanted to be on records, and to be THAT kind of a drummer, but jojo doesnt really want to be, as he said live music is what he loves, live innovation..not saying gadd doesnt love that....some stuff from the 70's and 80's were remarkable....they are 2 COMPLETLY different drummers with different goals...come on, can anybody imagine gadd playing drum and bass??...
i think people should take what they need from these musicians, i doubt neither of them want to be raised to god status......on his website, jojo says that to become a pro you must take down your idols and knock people of their petastils...he wants the rising stars to do the same to him, not worship him.

[jungle]

which snare drum does he uses

[Pavlos]

Here's some specs on his kits.

http://www.jojomayer.com/html/nerve_kit.html

[king fail]

Here's some specs on his kits.

http://www.jojomayer.com/html/nerve_kit.html

I'd like to point out that his website is extremely dated, and has indeed not been updated a very long time; I doubt Jojo even remembers he has a website to be honest. Jojo no longer has two separate kits for different occasions; those kits eventually condensed into one all around set up that he uses for pretty much everything. In fact, most of the drum gear listed on the website was discontinued ages ago.

Anyway, most of the time he uses an S-Classix 14"x5" primary and a Sonor Artist 13"x5", or S-Classix 12"x5" aux, but sometimes he is provided with Delite snares in the same dimensions by the event organizer. I'm not entirely sure what he uses on his gigs with Nerve though, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he uses the Sonor Artist as a primary and a 14"x5" S-Classix tuned low as an aux.

If you want even more concrete, reliable information, shoot Raymond Bloom a PM.

[Boomka]

To be honest - and I'm somewhat disappointed by myself to have to say that - I believe Vinnie is more musical and versatile than Jojo. Vinnie is still one of a kind totally, IMO.
I recently saw Jojo with his jazz trio "Depart", which was great, but it struck me that Jojo has more of "his niche", his thing to play than I thought; and he is more of a (creative) groove player than an interactive guy when playing.

Long before Jojo moved to New York and became the king of D'n'B and a technique guru, he was working as a first call accompianist for the world's finest jazz musicians when they found themselves in Switzerland.

[Boomka]

can anybody imagine gadd playing drum and bass?

Check out his work with Stanley Clarke on Journey to Love -- specifically the Concerto For Jazz/Rock Orchestra -- and it's very easy to conceive of Gadd playing Drum & Bass. Ditto his linear work on Chick Corea tunes like The Leprechaun.

[Funky Crêpe]

Check out his work with Stanley Clarke on Journey to Love -- specifically the Concerto For Jazz/Rock Orchestra -- and it's very easy to conceive of Gadd playing Drum & Bass. Ditto his linear work on Chick Corea tunes like The Leprechaun.

ya, I'm aware of how versitile he is but......i don't know, i cant really express what i want to say here!...i guess i mean i can't see him playing the real pure jungle music, ah well, im sure ye all know what i mean!

[Boomka]

ya, I'm aware of how versitile he is but......i don't know, i cant really express what i want to say here!...i guess i mean i can't see him playing the real pure jungle music, ah well, im sure ye all know what i mean!

I think I know what you mean. We have to remember that even the great "innovators" are products of their circumstance and the era they find themselves in. It's hard to say what Steve Gadd would sound like if he were born 20 years later. That said - you should check these out:
http://www.sunlightsquare.co.uk/musicians.cfm?mpf=frame&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4m-e_SEibk

It's also important to be aware that innovation is always easier to see in hindsight.

[Swiss Matthias]

Long before Jojo moved to New York and became the king of D'n'B and a technique guru, he was working as a first call accompianist for the world's finest jazz musicians when they found themselves in Switzerland.

I'm very aware of that, since I'm Swiss:). Also, at the age of 18 he became the drummer of the Monty Alexander Trio.

[Funky Crêpe]

I think I know what you mean. We have to remember that even the great "innovators" are products of their circumstance and the era they find themselves in. It's hard to say what Steve Gadd would sound like if he were born 20 years later. That said - you should check these out:
http://www.sunlightsquare.co.uk/musicians.cfm?mpf=frame&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4m-e_SEibk

It's also important to be aware that innovation is always easier to see in hindsight.

ah well, wan always wonder!...ya gadd would probably be playing (or atleast be able to play) very good drum and bass if he were 20 years younger!...nice vids, really show gadd's imagination!

[Skinsman38]

The man is unreal. While it's really unfair and difficult at best to say who the greatest drummer is (considering different eras, styles, etc), Jojo to me is tops. It seems he's taken the techniques that have been honed over the past 100 years from guys like Rich, Williams, Cobham, Gadd, Calaiuta and many others and used those techniques as the platform to take off from. It feels like a whole other level coming from Jojo. It's like he's incorporated extreme polyrhythms, played heavily with an incredible amount of speed and consistency with taste AND it grooves like a motherfucker. I love the newer guys like Rabb and Minneman (and others) but overall I just don't see anyone better than Jojo Mayer.

[drummerBUMMER]

jojo is smart, he s approach is scientific as he talks about using certain principles and laws of physics, then combining them with human emotion and expression while playing, what quality it has produced, thats just my opinion tho......

[merlyn615]

I don't know if anybody else noticed, but Nerve's album "Prohibited Beats" is available for download from the itunes store & amazon. Just got it and I'm loving it.

[SickRick]

If you want to check out some of JoJos playing for yourself and see which rudiments he uses / how he phrases stuff etc., check out the full transcription I made from the video "Performance 3" that's available on his DW Profile!

Just look here:

http://www.drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51132

[Swiss Matthias]

merlyn615: really? That is awesome!! Have to check it out!

SickRick: Awesome, thanks for the work!!

[Toby_Jackson]

Okay, too much of any listening to any one voice will tune you out. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Jojo, I think he's one of the very finest drummer's playing today - man, I play his sticks and have a 19" Fierce crash! - but there's a serious cult of personality thing going on that I'm sure he's more than wary of.

Let me explain - yes he produced probably the greatest single video lesson on hand technique yet made, and he's a voyager in terms of advancing his own musicianship and concept. But wait, really good drummers do that all the time and being put on too high a pedestal can be a lot of pressure. Admit it, if you like being called the greatest living thing to do anything you're an ego freak and probably not really making MUSIC from your heart or listening to the musicians around you. This is why these guys are cool when you meet them, they avoid thinking about how great you think they are because if that gets to the head they're toast.

So watch out, they're are hundreds and thousands of wicked drummers out there playing great music - there's no need to pigeonhole only one as the best. Respect be shown where it's deserved, but never let yourself be caught in an argument about why x is greater than y, cause someone will come at you hurling Blaker's, Elvin's, Bonham's, Gadd's or Carlock's!

[Swiss Matthias]

Well said. Except from you probably mean Baker instad of Blaker...? :)

[Toby_Jackson]

Actually I meant Blakey, but Baker fits the bill too!

[Swiss Matthias]

Haha: )

[Funky Crêpe]

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerbrush08.html

can anyone get this brush work down! or does anyone have any other video where he explains it or anything.
It is such a sweet lick, and what a touch!

[drumhead61]

http://www.drummerworld.com/Videos/jojomayerbrush08.html

can anyone get this brush work down! or does anyone have any other video where he explains it or anything.
It is such a sweet lick, and what a touch!

I must state the obvious...JOJO is an awesome kit player...such groove and feel it is so nice to see and take in as he plays. SWEET!!!! An inspiration.

[bradmapex]

i saw him live in north york (near toronto.... in Canada :) ) and he was amazing. soul drums put on a great show and he Jojo was so inspiring, i went wih my brother, his friend, a pro drummer/ teacher, and a couple other people, and everyone was blown away. My brother said that it changed his life lol, cuz of how jojo said music works and how he see it. b r a d .

[Funky Crêpe]

I must state the obvious...JOJO is an awesome kit player...such groove and feel it is so nice to see and take in as he plays. SWEET!!!! An inspiration.

what he does seems to be effortless, it's crazy!!! it's rare to find someone who can play dnb but also have such a great brush technique......JOJO COME TO IRELAND!!!

[druid]

The JoJo 7even groove......OK I recently purchased the Nerve album on iTunes....Man the whole 7even groove is totally locked in my head now...love that tune....started working on writing it out and figuring it out also. More complex than you might guess at first.


and of the course it's important to get it to feel right once you get past the technical issues;-)

[Hal]

One of my faves ever. He is so creative and puts the technique to work for the music and not in the opposite way.

Kudos for Jojo!

[bamdrummer]

Really creative and innovative. Also his fierce line is pretty sick!

[Funky Crêpe]

do you know the whaling technique that jojo does? (when he licks his finger and runs it across the tom head, creating a sound that mimics that of a whale)

Can you get that when you use fiberskyn heads??...because they are so smooth, there may not be enough friction on the heads...????????????

[SickRick]

do you know the whaling technique that jojo does? (when he licks his finger and runs it across the tom head, creating a sound that mimics that of a whale)

Can you get that when you use fiberskyn heads??...because they are so smooth, there may not be enough friction on the heads...????????????

You can do that on any drumhead, its just a matter of getting it once.... then you can apply it to any drumhead you want. It works great on floor toms as well.

I think its a bit easier on coated heads - fiberskyn should work just fine.

[Funky Crêpe]

You can do that on any drumhead, its just a matter of getting it once.... then you can apply it to any drumhead you want. It works great on floor toms as well.

I think its a bit easier on coated heads - fiberskyn should work just fine.

thanks man, was just wondering because i want to furnish my whole set with them, but just did'nt know whether i could do a thing that i love so much!

[Funky Crêpe]

mapex drums????...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xUBsfiQhqw

[king fail]

mapex drums????...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xUBsfiQhqw

Yeah, those were the 'house' drums was at a london masterclass. He was playing Delites later that day.

[druid]

Yeah I have been fooling with the pitch bending as well....does not seem to work really well on my clear heads...almost muffles too much. Maybe with a higher tnesion head it would work better?

[Gretsch09]

What a wonderful interview in Modern Drummer recently. His thought process on music is just so well developed. I would love to have the oppritunity to take a few lessons with him. God, I wonder how much that kind of knowledge is worth! ha ha!

[00Schneider]

www.jojomayer.com

Wow!


:D

[king fail]

www.jojomayer.com

Wow!


:D

YES! It's about time!!!

[trickymitch]

I've been watching a lot of JoJo recently and I'm amazed by his technical ability. His hands are just trained perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jL1OSDdwnI&feature=PlayList&p=FF2609CAFEE58070&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34

I think it's cool how he sounds like Dr Nick from the Simpsons too haha

[00Schneider]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFAUmFV5BZM&fmt18

Simply amazing.

[aphrophluph]

Anyone have any idea if/when Nerve is going to be on tour in the U.S.? I would love to see them live ... just don't think JoJo makes his way to Chicago all that often. Anyone know something I don't?

Cheers.

[slingerland755]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFAUmFV5BZM&fmt18

Simply amazing.

Every time I watch Jojo my mouth hangs open. He is such a musical technician.

[Thaard]

Jojo is one of my top inspirations, and on my top 3 favourite drummers!

[Funky Crêpe]

"don't pray to ashes, pass on the fire"

possibly the best quote i have ever heard, and by the great jojo

[koalasutra]

Man, this guy has been a true inspiration to me. And he's fixed a lot of things for me which I previously thought I had a really great understanding of.

I've got a little gear query. So at about 1:10 in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRU3Sxt9tY

You get a close-up of something he's using which looks remarkably like a Yamaha Jingle Wedge. But it's got a serrated edge letting him do that sort of guiro slide thing. I can't for the life of me find a product out there which could be the thing he's using.

Any insight? Did he modify a jingle wedge? It looks like a pretty clean job if he did...

[Funky Crêpe]

Man, this guy has been a true inspiration to me. And he's fixed a lot of things for me which I previously thought I had a really great understanding of.

I've got a little gear query. So at about 1:10 in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWRU3Sxt9tY

You get a close-up of something he's using which looks remarkably like a Yamaha Jingle Wedge. But it's got a serrated edge letting him do that sort of guiro slide thing. I can't for the life of me find a product out there which could be the thing he's using.

Any insight? Did he modify a jingle wedge? It looks like a pretty clean job if he did...


its a yamaha groove wedge, gives a louder more natural click.

[00Schneider]

You get a close-up of something he's using which looks remarkably like a Yamaha Jingle Wedge. But it's got a serrated edge letting him do that sort of guiro slide thing. I can't for the life of me find a product out there which could be the thing he's using.

Any insight? Did he modify a jingle wedge? It looks like a pretty clean job if he did...
Yes, he did it himself, with a drill and some endurance he said.

[00Schneider]

Some cool performances: http://www.youtube.com/user/ARCHITEKTUR1

Clips 1, 4 and 5 are playing, in 2 and 3 he speaks about his developments in drumming, but only German.

[DrumsForHire]

What WAS buddy rich to jazz? Personally I don't believe in breaking it down like that. All the styles are relative. Jojo is a great drummer, whether he's playing jazz or a polka in 9. Buddy Rich was a ground breaking drummer in the area of technique, but if you want to talk about drummers that changed music, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones are conceptually light years ahead.

[Swiss Matthias]

Some cool performances: http://www.youtube.com/user/ARCHITEKTUR1

Clips 1, 4 and 5 are playing, in 2 and 3 he speaks about his developments in drumming, but only German.

Thanks for that link!

[frank0072]

Some cool performances: http://www.youtube.com/user/ARCHITEKTUR1

Clips 1, 4 and 5 are playing, in 2 and 3 he speaks about his developments in drumming, but only German.

Just watched 1 and 5. Un-freaking-believable :-O. That guy is a machine. I love his look btw, looks a bit like Ringo with the glasses and beard :p.

[Thaard]

What the hell happened to Jojo's appearance? He looks like a thug from Miami Vice or Starsky and Hutch. Anyway, awesome playing as always!

[leftyrightplayer]

One of my Idols, truly unmatchable technique. Makes me want to throw my sticks in the bin retrieve them and practise harder. Drum n bass/jungle/breakbeat is great fun

[sinol]

Jojo Mayer, Bill Brudford and Danny Carey are my biggest inspirations. Insane hand technique and such feel...!
I was born the same day as Jojo. I hope it means something...lol (not to mention that I use His sticks too but not because of the signature;)). Now I know I should be born 3-4 times to gain His level!
In my opinion he'a a living legend:)

[Funky Crêpe]

What the hell happened to Jojo's appearance? He looks like a thug from Miami Vice or Starsky and Hutch. Anyway, awesome playing as always!

hahe looks like an 80's porn star, especially with the shades!
i wish i spoke german! It sounds very enlghtening! german is close to english, so thats how i know it's good!

[Swiss Matthias]

Have you guys seen this?

http://www.vimeo.com/2505756

[Rascul]

Damn, that's pretty bizarre.

[Therma lobsterdore]

Haha I think it's pretty funny, nice find! Very interesting to see Jojo playing at a young age, he was great back then to apparently.

[jkrisner]

New ep1 available:

http://www.hudsonmusic.com/hudson/2307/news/jojo-mayer-nerve-release-new-ep/

http://nerve.bandcamp.com/

[toddy]

your dvd still kills most of the others out there for hand technique. thankyou so much for making it.

[Funky Crêpe]

does anyone know the lick he does at about 4:35?? He always does this lick, but it's too fast for me to figure out, the thing between the ride and snare...??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-TOb1QQ1J0

[GRUNTERSDAD]

JoJo Mayer clinic here in Seminole Florida May 5th. See the calendar

[druid]

I just saw JoJo Saturday at the PAS Percussion Day at Norwin High School here near Pittsburgh. Fantastic day all around. Bunches of workshops and performances by Percussion ensembles, world music, latin and classical players.

Jojo and bassist John Davis drove down from NYC and were the headliners so to speak. Great clinic all around featured new Nerve material. I talked to both of them quite a bit afterward as well. Both were very approachable and answered lots of questions. Told them both I really would like to see the full band live one of these days. Listening to their albums really does not tell the whole story at all. It's like a new approach jazz really...the way he opens up and just goes for it live with this material.
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs575.snc3/31358_1381565331721_1009568919_2207624_1622016_n.j pg

[Funky Crêpe]

does anyone know the lick he does at about 4:35?? He always does this lick, but it's too fast for me to figure out, the thing between the ride and snare...??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-TOb1QQ1J0

can anyone answer my question???? I know it's a toughy!

[Swiss Matthias]

Something x-stroke roll based?

[Funky Crêpe]

Something x-stroke roll based?

Yeah, it must be a roll based rudiment or something, or else he is just playing crazy crazy fast, which could also be right!

[Thaard]

I wish that Jojo would start playing funk-fusion again. The stuff he did with screaming headless torsos and john medeski is legendary.

[JohnDavisNYC]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to drop in and let you know that we put up a new video on youtube and vimeo! It is some footage from our most recent recording session for our 2nd EP, which will be released May 16th at nerve.bandcamp.com... we are playing a gig at Le Poisson Rouge that night, and will be giving out free download cards to the first 100 people! The night starts at 9pm, and we'll hit at midnight...

anyway, video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdIqkxRUWqQ

Enjoy!

Cheers,
John

[jkrisner]

EP 2 released a day early:

http://nerve.bandcamp.com/

[ChipJohns]

So has JoJo been using Matched Grip?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hQ992Ekcm0

I've seen a few clips where he is playing matched.

Anyone have the skinny on this?

[druid]

He was using both when I saw him play in a clinc recently with John his bass player. Depending on the type of sound and impact level he switched between traditonal and matched and sometimes used the butt end of the stick. Which goes to show exactly why you should never get too wrapped up in either grip while shutting out the other....they both have their uses.

[ChipJohns]

Thanks Druid. Appreciate the update!

[Swiss Matthias]

Did you guys see the interview at drumdepartment.com?

http://www.drumdepartment.de/content/public/dd-tv_video.php?id=13

[druid]

excellent interview.

My brother posting a 4 minute clip from this past Sunday's show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I68C6BHGYLo

[Funky Crêpe]

Did you guys see the interview at drumdepartment.com?

http://www.drumdepartment.de/content/public/dd-tv_video.php?id=13

i was just about to put up a link of it. It's really an amazing interview, especially in the last 15mins, he's got some real insight into the business. And what he is saying is so true, about the drones and such, drummers are undervalued and underappreciated and should make their own roads, not dig those for others

[warrier1]

Just wondering if anybody knows how Jojo tunes his drums, I like the way they sound.

[jodgey4]

I know he did a lot of jazz stuff (Depart is great!), so probably resos a third above the batters or something melodic like that.

[ChipJohns]

At one time I think he used Coated Ambassadors (top side) and Emperors underneath.

[Funky Crêpe]

At one time I think he used Coated Ambassadors (top side) and Emperors underneath.

emperors underneath? that seems like a rarety

[ChipJohns]

emperors underneath? that seems like a rarety

he used two top heads I remember, It was either this or reversed, or 2 ambassadors.

[Swiss Matthias]

He does have a quite dry sound...

[00Schneider]

Usally he uses Ambassador coated batter and clear resos. Just standard. Bassdrum also usally Ambassador, sometimes PS3.

[Funky Crêpe]

It would be terrible for me not to share this find...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jftzYV0pBxM&NR=1

I highly reccomend watching all of this and the first clip, but if you want to hear the funkiest beat of your life, go straight to 6:10...perfect camera angle for figuring out what hes doing aswell.

rrLRLBLRLBBRLBRRL..just general sticking

[Swiss Matthias]

Yeah, awesome groove and solo!! Did I ever see somebody say he couldn't play, had no taste, no groove, no musicality...?? There you go :)!

About his new looks:

[aydee]

jojo at nublu, last month ( July, 2010 ) nyc. enjoy :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fma9s4PnDE

...

[Swiss Matthias]

Yeah, smokin' !!

[TomRaaff]

How come I've seen only two guys mention his new EP and there are no reactions???

http://nerve.bandcamp.com/
You've gotta check out Loot man! I'm seriously addicted to that song...
Drumporn.

[00Schneider]

And don't forget to buy new heads... :D

http://www.evansdrumheads.com/EvansArtistDrumsetsDetails.Page?ActiveID=2037&ArtistId=41237

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk4w4KDkkA0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjGiCSC2gpU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ixCCXlqrw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPScobIeVDM