Sabian - Because Sound Matters

JOJO MAYER DRUMMING EVENT ATTRACTS HUNDREDS

May 14, 2009

World's #1 Drummer Delivers A Stunning Performance at Tony's Music Box Event

Drummer Jojo Mayer's performance workshop hosted by Tony's Music Box in Fredericton attracted several hundred fans and followers from as far away as Halifax, Moncton and Edmundston. The New York-based Swiss drummer, whose DVD 'Secret Weapons for the Modern Drummer' is a global best seller, and whose performances pack audiences into theatres and clubs around the world, may present himself as a very casual person, but once he gets behind the drumkit it is obvious to anyone - drummer or not - that this man is a giant of a player. 

As a child protogé Jojo (real name 'Sergé' but modified because as a child he couldn't say it correctly) was appearing on stage and in company catalogs before he was even in his teens, so it was great to see so many younger players at this event. Unlike other drummers presenting drum 'clinics' (a name to suggest a cure for that which ails the playing of those who attend such events?), Jojo doesn't beat out the essentials or play along to his latest hit (he doesn't have any of those). Instead he launches into a stream of ambient techno-groove tunes, none of which could be considered a 'song', but certainly provide him with the platform to demonstrate his funky feel, incredible technique, and way-out-there creativity. This is drumming like nobody in the room has ever heard... or could ever possibly hope to replicate, try as they might. But that impossibility is no deterrent because what we are seeing and hearing is so amazingly good, entertaining and joy-bringing that the sensation of being in the room, surrounded by these grooves and reeling to the quirky fills and strategically-placed accents is more than enough to feel one is experiencing a great musical wonder of the world. 

For those seated close to the stage the performance is probably not unlike the first five minutes of the latest James Bond movie: action, action, action... and really quite unbelievable. Which is exactly what Jojo's playing is: Absolutely Unbelievable! Sure, he took time to demonstrate particular types of grooves for the enraptured audience (who were so quiet you could hear a pin drop), and a Q&A segment offered tremendous insight into both his psyche and his style. But when he got back behind his gleaming amber-coloured Sonor kit and stroked out polyrhythmic patterns on his SABIAN Fierce cymbals (a signature design that looks and sounds raw and dark) he pulled the audience into worlds unknown. 

"Control, creativity, and finesse... Jojo has it all," noted event host Michael George.

Reality only returned when the lights came up and it was time to leave. The standing ovation continued to ring in our ears as we stepped out into the night.

Big musical acts often bypass Fredericton. Thanks to Tony's Music Box (with support from the likes of Sonor and nearby SABIAN), this first date of Jojo Mayer's cross-Canada tour started in Fredericton. Scott Atkins and Sharon Green representing Sonor, Matt Carter and Michael George of Tony's, Ann MacNally and Terry Ryan at SABIAN, plus all involved - including the audience and Jojo - should be thanked for making this such a special event. Let's do it again.

- Wayne Blanchard - 05/09