French drummer and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Buchmann began his professional career at the age of fifteen, providing rhythm and solid vocal parts in various bands in Eastern France (Alsace-Lorraine) before joining the German group KingCats in 1981. They recorded an album in 1983 called « KingCats » which, by the way, has just been re-released in 2025 on vinyl, re-edited, remixed and remastered. It is distributed by the Dutch company Bordello A Parigi.
Patrick left the band shortly after to move to Los Angeles and study at Musicians Institute, P.I.T. (Percussion Institute of Technology), with Joe Porcaro and Ralph Humphrey.
After graduating with honors, he became head of the Summer Session, a 12 week/5 days a week program at P.I.T., rewriting the curriculum, hiring and managing extra teachers as well as teaching himself.
While being an instructor at Musicians Institue, he had the opportunity to play with amazing artists like :
Jaco Pastorius and Frank Gambale
Scott Henderson and Gary Willis
Jeff Berlin & Frank Gambale
Tim Bogert & Paul Hanson
Ron Eshete & Putter Smith
He recorded some instrumental compositions (Yucca Street and Sunburn) as part of his professional demo with Yellow Jackets alumni Russel Ferrante, Jimmy Hasslip, Mark Russo & Robben Ford, as well as Frank Gambale, Oswaldo Correa da Costa and Laudir De Oliveira.
These songs can be heard here:
Back in Europe, he joined Ugandan RealWorld artist Geoffrey Oryema for several world tours, including highlights like Woodstock 1994 and opening for Peter Gabriel at Peter’s W.O.M.A.D. festivals around the world.
He later joined Indonesian superstar Anggun for intensive US and world tours Lilith Fair, MTV Asia Live and Loud, Sessions at West 54th Street etc.
He was also a writer for French drum magazines and wrote a beginner drum book (Feu Vert pour la Batterie) and a reggae drumming book (Reggae Vibrations)
He was an drum instructor at Percussions of Strasbourg, Music Academy International in Nancy, France.
His collaborations led to more playing and recording projects featuring Mike Stern, Mino Cinélu, Bireli Lagrene, Natalie Merchant, Randy Brecker, Nelson Rangell.
In 2020, Patrick created the Sdinganuff collective, part of Sdinganuff Musick, which produces his musical projects accessible via digital platforms.
Latest releases feature French pianist Pierre Jean Gabriel Bertrand as Sdinganuff Trios, and KingCats’ new 2025 New Edition album.
