John Anderson

Drums & Percussion

The 7th Annual JazzBuffalo John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year (2022), John has established himself as one of the top musicians and most versatile drummers in WNY. He co-leads the Anderson Big Band with his wife, Laura. He is also a member of the George Scott Big Band, the Buffalo Jazz and Swing Band, the Back Room Jazz Band, and the vintage rock band The Gutter Prophets.

Trained as a classical percussionist, John attended the Berklee School of Music, and has performed with many of the top groups, orchestras and performers in WNY including the Pyramid Band, the Jim Tudini Band, Special Edition, What Would Mingus Do, and the late Al Tinney. As a percussionist he has regularly played in musicals and performed with nationally acclaimed acts including Aretha Franklin.

John began teaching drums while still in high school. He is available as an instructor of all styles on the drum set, rudimental and classical snare drum, and percussion.

The Buddy Rich 100th Anniversary Snare Drum

In honor of the legend Buddy Rich, John plays a pattern he saw Buddy use live from about 10 feet away at the Landmark Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. 

This pattern is a right paradiddle-diddle with a left hand buzz in place of some of the left hand diddles (RLRRLL or RLRRLzz). Once in a while incorporating an alternated double stroke roll or double stroke roll right hand and buzzed left (RRLL or RRLzz).

See our YouTube channel for more drum combos inspired by the greats: