bio

For more than a decade, New York based drummer Rob Garcia has brought his superb skills and subtly dynamic rhythmic sense to an eclectic assortment of musical ensembles. Spanning the full spectrum of jazz, from Woody Allen's New Orleans band to the avant-garde explorations of such innovative artists as reedman Joseph Jarman and pianist Myra Melford. Rob has also brought his talents to groups and bands led by greats such as, Howard Alden, Sam Newsome, Matt Dariau, Lynne Arriale, Brad Shepik, John Benitez, The Lifetime Visions Orchestra, John Bunch, Randy Sandke, The Flying Neutrinos, Chris Cheek, Anat Cohen, David Ostwald's Louie Armstrong Centenial Band, Michael Jeffry Stevens, Daniel Kelly, The Manhattan Ragtime Orchesrta, Miri Ben-Ari, and Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. Rob has also performed with other top musicians such as: Jerome Richardson, Reggie Workman, Bob Berg, Ken Peplowski, Dave Kikoski, Mike Formanek, Gary Versace, Bill McHenry, Howard Johnson, Sonny Fortune, Bruce Barth, Santi Debriano, Greg Cohen, Wycliff Gordon, Warren Vache, Ted Nash, and Chris Potter, among others.

As well as collaborating with other groups and artists, Rob Garcia is an inspired band leader in his own right. His talents as arranger and composer are evident on his albums, Place of Resonance, released on Consolidated Artists Productions, and "Hearts Fire", released on Connection Works Records.

Rob is also the founder and executive director of a brooklyn-based non-profit oragnization called Connection Works, which brings music and art to the community in new ways.

Rob grew up in Pelham, New York, hearing jazz and popular music from the late 20's and early 30's. His father, an architect who also loved to play the bass, had a collection of 78's (old records) from that period, full of music greats such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bix Beiderbecke. In his early teens, after spending many hours listening to the rock band, The Who, it was Keith Moon that inspired him to begin playing the drums.

He began studying with Bob Mergliano, and through his influence as well as visiting New York City jazz clubs with his father, Rob's interest turned toward jazz. He then went on to study with some other outstanding teachers and performers such as Charli Persip, Steve Davis, and Adam Nussbaum.

Rob describes his creative aim and music's healing power, "music can go beyond the intellect and touch people on a very deep level."