The iconic drummer Jojo Mayer and his band Nerve are an anomaly within a sea of artists in the electronic dance music scene. However, their collective influences run much deeper than the genre might suggest. With a pedigree in jazz and funk, Mayer and his band are capable of pushing the limits of EDM via nearly telepathic and endlessly creative improvisations. Their extensive discography explores everything from hyper-speed drum ’n’ bass to growly dubstep to acoustic jazz. This group can compel the most sophisticated listening audience while also satisfying a dance club crowd. Mayer is often described as “modern,” “cutting-edge,” “futuristic,” and “visionary.” He’s always ahead of musical and drumming trends, while his technique is deeply seated in the teachings of the masters, including Billy Gladstone, Sanford Moeller, Jim Chapin, and Joe Morello. In this two-part article, we’re going to take a look at some highlights from Jojo’s extensive body […]

September 2020 Issue