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Rob Garcia

“A prime mover in the current Brooklyn jazz scene” (Time Out-New York) and "one of New York’s great jazz drummers and composers.” (Capital New York), Rob Garcia continues to be a strong presence in the New York and international jazz scene as a sideman and bandleader. He has collaborated with such stellar artists as Joe Lovano, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall, Myra Melford, Joseph Jarman, Catherine Russell, Kris Davis, John Bunch, Anat Cohen, Vince Giordano, Reggie Workman and Wycliffe Gordon. He has played on over 70 albums including Grammy winners. Rob has released 8 critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader and 5 as a co-leader which feature such artists as Joe Lovano, Noah Preminger, Kate McGarry, Dan Tepfer, John O’Gallagher, Gary Versace, Joe Martin, John Hebert, Dave Kikoski and Mike Formanek. His most recent album “Illumination” was released on Fresh Sound Records in December 2020. His albums have been on “top albums of the year” lists and have received praise from publications such as Downbeat, The New York Times, Jazz Times, and Time Out New York. Rob has also self-released a solo drums album called “Drum Solos For Dancers Only” in 2018. Rob’s groups have performed at venues such as The Ottawa Jazz Festival, The Toronto Jazz Festival, The Kingston Jazz Festival, Birdland, Iridium, Kitano, Smalls, The Rex and Firehouse 12. His group has toured Europe, the northeast and west coast of the U.S. Rob has received grants from South Arts, Meet The Composer, DCA and NYSCA to support his performances. He is also a member of the BMI Jazz Composers Workshop. Rob has also been a major force in artist-run jazz organizations. He is the founder and artistic director of Connection Works, a member of the Brooklyn Jazz Underground and a founding member of the Douglass Street Music Collective.

Tony Romano: Three Chord Monte

Read "Three Chord Monte" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
June 29, 2024

Three Chord Monte from New York-based guitarist Tony Romano offers thirteen selections with an expansive range of grooves, textures, and intensities. Throughout the session, he and his fine players demonstrate their obvious allegiance to melody, lyricism, and appropriate rhythmic foundation, yielding a fine overall recording. The starter, “Cadillac Green" has a deep-pocketed funk bed and is a biting melodic statement. There is an Intense tenor saxophone solo from Paul Carlon which is a fine take-off. “Rhumba-esque" has ...

Album Review

Rob Garcia: Drum Solos For Dancers Only

Read "Drum Solos For Dancers Only" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
December 18, 2018

There's more than enough artistry, craftsmanship and ingenuity in Rob Garcia's Drum Solos For Dancers Only to please the sedentary jazz aficionado. Although the thirteen tracks are intended to spur bodies in motion, his drumming merits scrutiny on purely musical terms. For the most part Garcia executes swinging rhythms much like the ones that drove the popular big bands of the 1930s and 40s and wraps them in themes that include symmetrical, easily recognizable song forms. Some of his compositions ...

Album Review

Rob Garcia: Finding Love in an Oligarchy on a Dying Planet

Read "Finding Love in an Oligarchy on a Dying Planet" reviewed by Luigi Sforza

by Luigi Sforza
December 2, 2016

Finding In A Oligarchy on a Dying Planet è un disco davvero interessante; medita sul destino del mondo, sulle relazioni sociali, sulle storture e le ipocrisie contemporanee, ma anche sulla possibilità di realizzare il sogno di vivere su un pianeta migliore. Chiunque lo associasse ai lavori degli anni '50 di Abbey Lincoln e Max Roach, o lo inserisse nel solco tracciato dal pensiero rivoluzionario e utopico di Charles Mingus, non sbaglierebbe. Come quei lavori, anche questo eccezionale progetto del ...

Bailey's Bundles

The Big Beat: Edwin G. Hamilton, Scott Neumann, Donald Edwards, Arthur Vint, Rob Garcia, Jeremy Warren

by C. Michael Bailey
June 12, 2016

This is a spotlight on drums...a pretty big spotlight. Edwin G. Hamilton The Whole World Must Change Self Produced2016 It's hard enough to find a drummer, much less one who sings. There is Les DeMerle, and he is fine, but, the drummer/singer is a pretty hard chair to fill, if that is what one is looking for. Enter Edwin G. Hamilton, student of Herlin Riley and contemporary of a generation of young artist ...

Album Review

Rob Garcia: Finding Love in an Oligarchy on a Dying Planet

Read "Finding Love in an Oligarchy on a Dying Planet" reviewed by Franz A. Matzner

by Franz A. Matzner
March 23, 2016

A complex amalgam, drummer-composer Rob Garcia's Finding Love in an Oligarchy on a Dying Planetis as densely constructed and provoking as its title. Despite the socially conscious themes that its track titles, lyrics, and multi-layered musical journeys explore, Garcia has made clear this is not a protest album. At least not in the typical sense. It is not advocacy. It does not call for denial, dissent, or even dismissal of the social ills the album's thirteen pieces directly ...

Album Review

Joanna Wallfisch: Wild Swan

Read "Wild Swan" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
May 22, 2012

After immersing herself in the New York jazz scene, English singer/songwriter Joanna Wallfisch decided to return to the city in December 2011 to record her debut album, Wild Swan. A great decision—Wallfisch's soaring and expressive voice combines with superb playing from Big Apple musicians to create a fascinating and original set of songs. The young vocalist cites Joni Mitchell and Norma Winstone as inspirations. Winstone is the most obvious vocal inspiration of the two, but Mitchell's quirky approach ...

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Album Review

Rob Garcia's Sangha: Heart's Fire

Read "Heart's Fire" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
November 28, 2007

Drummer/percussionist/bandleader Rob Garcia's Heart's Fire, with his group Sangha, may initially be reminiscent of the music of Black Jazz Records, a 1970s-era label that focused on original soul-jazz, but further listens reveal something more.

The word “Sangha" is a Buddhist term that comes from the Three Treasures roughly translating to “the community of Truth seekers." The group is well represented by, alongside Garcia, flutist Michael Gentile, saxophonist Adam Kolker, guitarist Kenny Wessel, pianist Daniel Kelly and ...

Recording

Rob Garcia Presents: Finding Love In An Oligarchy On A Dying Planet On Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records - April 29, 2016

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
March 19, 2016

ROB GARCIA PRESENTS: FINDING LOVE IN AN OLIGARCHY ON A DYING PLANET ON BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND RECORDS APRIL 29, 2016 Featuring the Rob Garcia 4: Rob Garcia (drums & compositions), Noah Preminger (tenor saxophone), Gary Versace (piano), Masa Kamaguchi (bass), with special guests Joe Lovano (tenor saxophone), Kate McGarry (vocals) & Brendan Burke (spoken word) CD Release Concerts/Celebrations: Wed, 4/6- Taller de Músicos, Gijon, Spain Thurs, 4/7- Bilbaina, Bilboa, Spain Sat, 4/9- Sunset, Girona, Spain
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Recording

Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records Releases New Recordings From: Rob Garcia, John Chin & Gianni Gagliardi

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
May 29, 2014

BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND RECORDS Releases New Recordings From: ROB GARCIA, JOHN CHIN & GIANNI GAGLIARDI Available TODAY, May 27, 2014 BJURecords CD Release Celebrations: ROB GARCIA: May 31, Toronto, Canada @The Rex June 1 - Rochester, NY @Lovin' Cup June 4 - Boston, MA @The Bee Hive June 5 - Cambridge, MA @Beat Hotel June 19 - NYC @The Cornelia Street Cafe July 10 - Old Lyme, CT @The Side ...
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Recording

Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records To Release New Recordings From: Rob Garcia, John Chin & Gianni Gagliardi

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
May 8, 2014

"Brooklyn jazz is happening and those who venture across the bridge will be delighted by the hard-edged ethnically-flavored jazz that they find on the other side." —All About Jazz “...The spirit of the organization is firmly rooted in Brooklyn. All of the members reside there, and they wanted to give a nod to the vitality of its scene." —The Wall Street Journal BROOKLYN JAZZ UNDERGROUND RECORDS To Release New Recordings From: ROB GARCIA, JOHN CHIN & ...
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Festival

Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open 2013-2014 Season Opens On October 19 With Bklyn Jazz Underground Ensemble + Works!

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
October 15, 2013

Connection Works, One of the Leaders in the Growing Movement of Artist-run Organizations, Proudly Announces the 2013-14 Season of Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open The distinguished concert, dialogue and workshop series. Now in its seventh season, the series takes place at the Brooklyn Conservatory in Park Slope, Brooklyn Saturday, October 19 @ 8:00 PM WORKS MICHEL GENTILE - flute DANIEL KELLY - piano ROB GARCIA - drums + Brooklyn Jazz Underground Ensemble
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Recording

Works: Michel Gentile-Daniel Kelly-Rob Garcia Proudly Releases Their Debut Recording, Works

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
April 22, 2013

CD Release Celebration @ The Cornelia Street Cafe - July 11! “Michel has the instincts of a leader." —Jimmy Giuffre “Daniel Kelly is a pianist and composer who confidently splits the difference between murky history and sleek progressivism." —The New York Times WORKS, featuring Michel Gentile (flute), Daniel Kelly (piano) and Rob Garcia (drums), is the resident ensemble of the vibrant non-profit organization Connection Works (http://www.ConnectionWorks.org ). Bandleaders in their own right, these artists embrace the unique instrumentation of WORKS ...
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Recording

Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records To Release "The Drop And The Ocean" From Drummer/Composer Rob Garcia

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
September 16, 2011

Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records To Release THE DROP AND THE OCEAN from Drummer/Composer ROB GARCIA Release Date: September 27, 2011 “The Drop and the Ocean on the Brooklyn Jazz Underground label, is an elastic, adventurous statement from the drummer Rob Garcia." —The New York Times Rob Garcia 4 appearing in celebration of The Drop and the Ocean Sat, Oct 1: Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open @ The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, with Dan Tepfer (piano), Noah Preminger (saxophones) & Chris Lightcap ...
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Performance / Tour

On October 1 Connection Works Launches The 5th Season of Brooklyn Jazz Wide Open @ The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
September 9, 2011

CONNECTION WORKS PRESENTS The 5th SEASON OF BROOKLYN JAZZ WIDE OPEN @ The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Concert Hall The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is located at 58 Seventh Ave (at Lincoln Place), Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY, Tel 718 622 3300, Tkts are $15, and $10 for students and seniors First Concert of the 2011-2012 season

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 8:00 PM

Double CD Release Concert

Gentile/Romano—Flesh and Steel Rob Garcia 4 Featuring Noah Preminger on tenor saxophone, Dan Tepfer ...
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Performance / Tour

Rob Garcia 4 to appear at Smalls on August 24th in celebration of "The Drop and the Ocean"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity
August 9, 2011

Rob Garcia 4 to appear at Smalls on August 24th in celebration of the digital release of his new recording on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records, The Drop and the Ocean (physical release date is September 27th.) ROB GARCIA 4 @ SMALLS JAZZ CLUB Noah Preminger—tenor saxophone Dan Tepfer—piano John Hebert—bass Rob Garcia—drums & compositions WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011 9:30 PM—Midnight SMALLS JAZZ CLUB 183 West 10th street
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Radio

The Jazz Session #272: Connection Works

Source: AAJ Staff
May 26, 2011

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Recording

Bassist Dave Lobenstein Releases "Triple Play" with Guitarist Steve Salerno and Drummer Rob Garcia

Source: All About Jazz
September 21, 2004

Triple Play featuring Steve Salerno (Guitar) and Rob Garcia (Drums), is a project culminating a year and 1/2 of playing as a trio. The minute I met Steve, I knew that this was the guitarist I needed to play with. Rob and I had been playing together in various situations for a number of years and I knew he would be a perfect fit for a really GREAT Trio! Rob and Steve really dedicated themselves to this project, and it ...
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“…one of New York’s great jazz drummers and composers.” - Capital New York

“Thoughtful original music delivered with rare conviction.” - Jazz Times

“Garcia is a drummer of invention, grace and considerable fire.” - Downbeat

“…an elastic, adventurous statement from the drummer Rob Garcia." - New York Times

"like all great frontmen he puts the music first, not his instrument. And like fellow drummer/leaders Bill Stewart and Jack DeJohnette, Garcia always serves the music, but with that extra inner sparkle and finesse coupled to crackerjack time sensibilities that are constantly delightful." -NYC Jazz Record

Primary Instrument

Drums

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Rob has a Master of Music from SUNY Purchase and a BA from NYU. Scheduling for lessons is flexible. The lesson rates are $60/hr, $40/half hr. Lesson can be in person or online via Skype (or something comparable). I teach at my studio in the West Midwood/Ditmas Park section of Brooklyn (near Newkirk Plaza and Ave H). I will also travel to the students. I teach my students to play the music they like. I encourage self-expression and creativity as well as learning the necessary skills to read and play music with other people. My teaching studio is equipped with two drum sets, piano (I often play piano with the student on drums) and a stereo system. I'm well versed in many popular and not so popular styles of music/drumming (jazz, Latin, Brazilian, swing, dixieland, rock, pop, funk, hip-hop and reggae to name a few).