(he/him)
Philip Mayer is a drummer and percussionist specializing in jazz, contemporary music, and the music of the Middle East. His career highlights include extensive touring with multi-platinum artist Natalie Merchant and playing drums for the Broadway musical The Band’s Visit, which won 10 Tony Awards, a Grammy for Best Cast Album, and an Emmy. He has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the U.S., including Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and on The Late Show with David Letterman and Good Morning America.
Philip’s passion for global drumming traditions has led him on transformative journeys to India, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain. As an expert in Arabic and Turkish music, he has performed worldwide, from the Presidential Palace in the United Arab Emirates to the Al Bustan Palace in Oman. In the U.S., he has collaborated with some of the finest musicians in these traditions, including Bassam Saba (Fairuz), Michel Merhej Baklouk (Fairuz), and Ara Dinkjian.
During the pandemic, Philip briefly transitioned to a career in the culinary arts, working as a baker under renowned chef Daniel Boulud and later as a cook at the legendary Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan. True to his multifaceted interests and general nerdiness, he maintains a fermentation lab at home, where he crafts his own soy sauces, misos, and vinegars.