Massimo de Majo
"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 even 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 "musicians' musician".
Italian, born in Rome in 1957, he has spent most of his career abroad, while performing and recording with some of the most influential jazz artists in Europe, U.S.A., Scandinavia and Japan.
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.
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 apprenticeship with some of the greatest artists: masters 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. They have enriched my life more than I could ever expect and I will always be grateful to them."
Focusing mostly on performing and teaching, during the last thirty years Massimo has also composed for theatre, contemporary dance, video, sound design and installation art.
Massimo de Majo is a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Malta and shares his life with performing artist Biancamaria Stanzani Ghedini and their wonderful daughter Delfina.
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