Jojo Mayer – Tribute to Buddy Rich

Jojo Mayer is best known for his drumming wizardry in contemporary electronic music. His adaptation of complex electronic beats on the acoustic drums, or the «reverse engineering» of digital matter into «re-humanized» musical substance as he calls it, has raised the bar for instrumentalists and music producers the world over, and re-defined the role of live drums in contemporary music. Given Mayer’s futurist, present-moment approach to the art of drumming, little seems to connect him to 20th century jazz drumming icon Buddy Rich. But appearances are deceptive.

Directed by Alexis Amitirigala
Filmed by René Schönenberger, Jonas Furrer, Tom Kubiak & Martin Schäppi
Sound by Torsten Goddon
Edited by Daniel Stössel & Andrea Löhrer
© SRF (2015)

[myoung]

The ending where he mimics his heart beating is what Buddy did after some of his performances. And you can see he looks up to the sky and asks forgiveness from Buddy.

[jasonfitzpatrick]

Any list of greatest living drummers without this guy on it can be safely ignored.

[yakbutter]

Jojo Mayer was well-known for his jazz drumming before he got into recreating electronic beats. Of all the contemporary drummers out there today, I think he's probably one of the few that could pull off the Buddy vibe. Also, the shirt is epic.

[GrazianoPala]

Jojo mayer...One of the best drummers today

[buellboy]

Someday we'll watch a video of someone talking about Jojo the way he talks about Buddy here. It's so awesome to see a great musician talking about one of his heroes like this.

[Heideggerr]

It's refreshing to see Jojo Mayer pay homage to a man who was inhuman on the drums. No one has, or ever will, become remotely close to the drumming ability of Buddy Rich. He was well-beyond gifted; he was divine; in a category of one called: Buddy Rich

[whateverman]

Man, if ever there was a drummer to actually pull off a Buddy Rich tribute orchastra & solo, it's Jojo.  There are other drummers I like better, stylistically, but Jojo is a master of effortless technique and showmanship.  I think Buddy would have approved.

[MusicProductionJS]

You know you've got amazing technique when Jojo Mayer approves and praises your technical abilities...

[DerHerrMitR]

I think this might be my favorite moment of a drummer idolizing another drummer. Just pure excitement, almost childlike admiration. And I love schwyzerdütsch!

[MrJthomas]

thing about that Concert for the Americans show was right after that remarkable performance, he was rushed to the hospital because he had suffered a heart attack....tough bastard he was....RIP BUDDY

[blapis]

I can't think of a better drummer than Jojo to do Buddy's hand techniques. Left hands out of this world

[subwoofer]

It's a real shame that the videos of some of the whole music performances were taken down. I personally find it a treat to see JoJo doing other styles like jazz when he's out of his usual electronic territory like when he was with Harry Sokal in Depart. He's great at live DnB, but when he takes a break to embrace his natural roots, like a breath of fresh air.

[roslinaX]

so Jojo's obsession began after he lost that drum duel to Buddy on the Muppet Show?

[dmreeoogdaq]

There are so many really great drummers today, but I can think of no one more appropriate to pay tribute to Buddy Rich than JoJo Mayer, and that is a very, VERY high compliment.

[Danielgst]

Maestro at work! Proud to see him live a couple of times.

[MrDavesf]

My favorite modern drummer, by miles and miles. Thanks for this Jojo!

[zakariyabenarab]

he wasn't a show man he just loved sharing his art with people and it was one of his biggest motivation for music plus music itself his not show man at all his one of the greatest artist ever, he had talent, technique and creativity.

[slimyelow]

explaining things like 'wind-up' and stroke efficiency have been on my mind since I first hit a tom and felt the amazing rebound.
But never was there any guidance on how the mechanics truly work in your favor. I saw drummers beat the crap outa everything, as if in anger. Only guys like Weckl and Jojo taught me to play pianissimo, which is ideal for studio work and it is truly amazing how much faster you get with proper fulcrum etc.

Igoe is another breakthrough teaching talent that I owe everything to.

[polara]

the thing with Jojo is he is not only a rolled class drummer if not arguably one of the very best I would love to see him in a drum duel with Steve Smith another of the world's very best all-around drummers as of 2017 but also the fact that he has such a love for the art and what buddy meant to him is conveyed so eloquently here and that to me is as special as the tribute itself because it brings inside to where JoJo's heart is and that is why I admire and respect him Beyond his insane chops technique and style buddy would no doubt appreciate and even probably tear up at this tribute to him there needs to be more artists that carry themselves with JoJo's level of class and dignity I wish he would come to Chicago I'd be in the front row

[bcdrummer]

The thing that puts it all in perspective is Jojo mimicking the famous Buddy post-solo heart attack move, then looking up to Heaven to ward off the impending Buddy lightning bolt....that is true respect and love coming through from Jojo.