Fredy Studer

Fredy Studer (16 June 1948 – 22 August 2022) was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, and lived there until his death. Self-taught, his musical activities from the early 1970s onward were remarkably eclectic — spanning collaborations from A (John Abercrombie) to Z (John Zorn). For more than four decades he performed at festivals, gave concerts and workshops, and recorded for radio and television. His output also included music for dance productions, radio plays, theatre and film across Europe, Africa, Japan, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Taiwan, India, Russia, Canada and the USA. He received numerous prizes and awards. Studer was among the first drummers to integrate open improvisation with groove-based playing. The specialist journal Drums & Percussion wrote: “...without doubt, Swiss percussionist Fredy Studer is one of the most innovative drummers in Europe...” His compositions and collaborations are documented on more than 90 recordings.

Luzern, Switzerland