Zig’s Press Kit

Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste is a master drummer, rhythm innovator, percussionist, and New Orleans legend. The most highly-acclaimed drummer ever to hail from the Crescent City, Ziggy’s creativity has been a wellspring of funk influence for three decades, inspiring many Hip-Hop tracks. His innovative work as a member of the internationally acclaimed R&B group, The Meters, as well as his side work with artists like Keith Richards, Robert Palmer and Dr. John, have garnered him an unparalleled level of respect among musicians and fans. Ziggy’s style is unique. He is a master of creating funk grooves and new concepts for funk drumming. Zigaboo’s music consistently demonstrates his brilliance as the premier funk drummer of the contemporary era.

The original The Meters LP’s were all recorded with Ziggy at the drums, and his work has been sampled many times over by artists such as Musiq, Queen Latifah, Run DMC, NWA, Ice Cube, Salt N’ Pepa, Cypress Hill, EPMD, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, Naughty by Nature, and Tweet, just to name a few. Ziggy is a BMI award winner for the Young Gunz track, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.” His drum sound also provided the main loops for Amerie’s “1Thing,” which was nominated for two Grammy’s and was #1 on the R&B charts.

Ziggy has written over 200 songs individually and collectively with The Meters. His songwriting displays both his musical genius and original funk style. Zigaboo’s songs have been released on over 56 albums nationally and internationally. His tunes have also graced such movies as “Two Can Play That Game,” “Jackie Brown,” “Drum Line,” “8 Mile,” “Hancock,” “Red,” and a Nike Commercial for Footaction. Zig was featured in producer Mark Ronson’s 2011 Re:Generation Music Project, where he wrote and performed the original song “A La Modeliste,” with Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Trombone Shorty, and members of The Dap Kings.

Zigaboo’s latest 2011 release, “New Life,” was praised as an amazing slide of funk — proof that Modeliste’s fountain of rhythmic imagination shows no signs of running dry.  Ziggy’s first solo CD, “Zigaboo.com”, was released in 2000 and was reviewed as one of the most outstanding comeback records of the year. In 2004, the follow-up CD, “I’m on the Right Track,” featured special guests, Dr. John and Bernie Worrell. “Funk Me Hard Live” is a collection of funk originals recorded in 1980 and released in 2009. All these ever-grooving solo iconic albums were released on Zigaboo’s own label, JZM Records and are available for download from iTunes and on CD at Zigaboo.com and CDBaby.com.