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Massimo de Majo

reaching to the masters

About Me

”Drummer Massimo de Majo would have little difficulty measuring up to New York's best.” Scott Yanow

Massimo de Majo is a percussionist, an educator, and probably one of the most well kept secrets in European Jazz. Never indulging in self-promotion, Massimo has often taken directions which have radically changed his career, so - while not widely known by the general public - he's highly regarded by his peers as a true artist and “a musicians' musician”.

Italian, born in Rome in 1957, he has spent most of his career abroad, performing with some of the most influential jazz artists in Europe, U.S.A., Scandinavia and Japan.

During the last forty years, focusing mostly on performing and teaching, Massimo has also composed for theatre, contemporary dance, video, sound design, and installation art. Asked about his career, he replies: “I must say that I've been extremely fortunate. My musical existence has been shaped by wonderful encounters, studies, and direct apprenticeships with some of the greatest artists: masters such as NEA Jazz Master David Liebman, Elvin Jones, Marvin Bugalu Smith, Horace Parlan, Billy Hart, Max Roach, Richie Beirach, Wayne Shorter, Buster Williams, Harold Land, Carlos Santana, and Larry Coryell have led me to become the individual I am today. Being with them has enriched my life more than I could ever expect, and I will always be grateful to them.”

A drummer with an intense energy flow, wide dynamics, and an acute sense for interplay, de Majo is as comfortable playing free-form music, as well as within more structured frameworks. He has now reached a very individual sound summoning inspiration from masters Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Pete La Roca, Eddie Blackwell, and Billy Hart.

Currently living in the U.K.,

He shares his life and his work with performing artist Biancamaria Stanzani Ghedini and their daughter Delfina.

For more information, you can... listen to Massimo's music on sound cloud: http://soundcloud.com/massimodemajo

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because... It's Freedom, Democracy, Life I was first exposed to jazz... when I was 11 I met... Dave Liebman, Richie Beirach, Wayne Shorter, Billy Hart, Max Roach, Elvin Jones, Horace Parlan, Herbie Hancock, Harold Land, Curtis Fuller, Ben Riley, Marvin "Bugaloo" Smith, Larry Coryell, Buster Williams, Terri Lyne Carrington, John Hicks, Roy Haines, Chick Corea, Adam Nussbaum, Mary Halvorson, Carlos Santana, Lars Danielsson, and many others. The best show I ever attended was... Dave Liebman's Quest in Copenhagen 1986, Herbie's Quintet in Copenhagen 1986. The first jazz record I bought was... Max Roach "Drums Unlimited". My advice to new listeners... Listen deeply. If you don't like it at first, it might be a bit too difficult for you right now, take your time. Enjoy!