Aug 22, 2018
Jonathan Moffett, also known as Sugarfoot, is a drumming legend and
is well known as being the drummer for Michael Jackson for over 30
years. He has also performed with Madonna, Sir Elton John, George
Michael, Stevie Wonder, and many other iconic artists.
Moffett was born and raised in New Orleans and began his drumming
career when his father asked him and his brothers if they wanted to
start playing music. Jonathan was assigned to play the drums after
everyone wanted to play guitar and his father said “you can’t all
play guitar.” This path however did not turn out bad for Jonathan
at all, becoming one of the most iconic drummers in history.
He began touring with The Jacksons after moving to LA from New
Orleans in the late 1970s. In this episode Jonathan shares his
amazing story of how he got the gig and came to play with Michael
Jackson for over 30 years. Jonathan was the last drummer to
audition with the Jacksons, impressing the group by playing “Shake
Your Body” on the drums all by himself, a song with a three part
overdub, which means it has three drum parts layered on top of one
another with three separate passes of recorded individual drums
parts.
Jonathan also plays a number of instruments and is both a
songwriter and producer. He has influenced drummers all over the
world with his groundbreaking drum techniques and style. He is
notorious for his kung-fu inspired signature moves which he came up
with during a marathon practice session late one evening - the
"one-handed cymbal catch" and his backlash-whiplash cymbal crashes
(single and/or double hand) where he places two cymbals behind him
and hits them without looking.
The Sugarfoot sound is unique, fusing the feel of funk and R&B
with the power of rock. He is also known for his impressive drum
setups often using multiple kick drums and toms, and an array of
cymbals rigged on a complex web of stands and hardware. Some of
Moffett’s drumming influences include Zigaboo, Buddy Rich, Louis
Bellson, Tony Williams, Billy Cobham, James Brown, Stevie Wonder,
among many others.
Links:
Website: www.jmdb.world
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jmoffettmjm
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jmoffettmjm
YouTube: www.youtube.com/jonathansugarfootmoffett