Joachim Cooder

Joachim Herbert Cooder, born August 23, 1978, is an American drummer, percussionist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist best known for collaborations with his father, legendary guitarist Ry Cooder, and for his work as a solo artist featuring the electric mbira. As a headliner, Cooder's primary instrument is the electric mbira, a variation on the traditional African thumb piano that he has adapted to create atmospheric, genre-crossing compositions. Cooder began playing drums at age five, inspired by the great Jim Keltner, and has since developed into a versatile and sought-after musician. He played on Grammy Award-winning albums A Meeting by the River in 1993 and Buena Vista Social Club in 1997, the latter becoming one of the most successful world music albums of all time. His adaptable drumming style has found him working with diverse artists from the Cuban ensemble Buena Vista Social Club to Indian instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. In 2012, Cooder released his first solo album Love on a Real Train, an atmospheric effort featuring contributions from Jon Hassell, Petra Haden, and Matt Costa. His 2020 Nonesuch Records debut Over That Road I'm Bound reimagined songs of country music progenitor and banjo player Uncle Dave Macon using his chosen instrument, the electric mbira. Cooder's work bridges traditional American roots music, world music, and contemporary experimental sounds, creating a unique artistic vision that honors tradition while pushing musical boundaries.

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