Peter Magadini

Peter Charles Magadini (January 25, 1942 – August 13, 2023) was an American drummer, percussionist, educator and author. He is known for his body of work (instructional books and videos) concerning the comprehension and execution of musical polyrhythms, especially the books The Musician's Guide to Polyrhythms and Polyrhythms for the Drumset. Magadini has recorded and performed with George Duke, Diana Ross, Bobbie Gentry, Al Jarreau, Buddy DeFranco, John Handy and Mose Allison.

Biography Magadini was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, to Charles and Ruth Magadini. At the age of six, the family moved to Palm Springs, California, where he played in the elementary school band. In Phoenix he studied with his first and most influential teacher Donald Bothwell and was heavily influenced by the playing of Max Roach. In 1973 he graduated from the University of Toronto with Master of Music in Percussion and Performance – "w.distinction".

In 1968, while teaching at his alma mater, Magadini was awarded a fellowship to perform with The Berkshire Music Festival Orchestra at Tanglewood. The next year he moved to Los Angeles where he taught drums at the Hollywood Professional Drum Shop and played with the Don Menza quartet. Magadini toured with Bobbie Gentry through 1969 before joining Diana Ross' first band as a solo artist.

In 1976 Magadini produced Polyrhthym, for IBis Records, featuring himself, George Duke, Don Menza and Dave Young. His second album, Bones Blues, with Dave Young, Don Menza and Wray Downs, received a Juno Award nomination for Best Jazz Album of the Year in 1979. Magadini has also performed extensively with and produced recordings for blues-jazz vocalist Mose Allison. He also maintained a private teaching practice in the California Bay Area.

Magadini died on August 13, 2023, at the age of 81.

Polyrhythms Magadini is widely known for his interest and expertise in polyrhythms as applied in western music and drum set. Originally inspired by his studies with tabla player Mahapurush Misra in 1966, In 2012 he published The Official 26 Polyrhythm Rudiments.

Discography Year Title Label Role Notes 1970 Live at The Grove Motown Drummer 1971 Diana Motown Drummer 1976 Polyrhythm IBis Recordings Producer, drummer 1977 Bones Blues Sackville Records Producer, drummer 1978 Juno Award Nominee 2000 Night Dreamers Timeless Records Producer, drummer 2015 Mose Allison Live in California IBis Recordings Producer, drummer 2015 Outside in the Present Quadwrangle Music Producer, drummer

Videos 2006 – Jazz Drums Hal Leonard Corporation|Hal Leonard

Books