Rob Garcia

My teaching teaching studio is located in West Midwood/Ditmas Park, Brooklyn (near Newkirk Plaza, Q and B train). I am equipped with 2 drum sets, practice pads, a sound system, percussion instruments, bass and guitar amps and a piano. I often play piano while my the students play drums giving the students experience of playing with others; feeling time and musical energy together.

Biography

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, David Byrne, Wynton Marsalis, Kronos Quartet, Diana Krall, Myra Melford, Joseph Jarman, Catherine Russell, Kris Davis, Nicole Zuraitis, Anat Cohen, Vince Giordano, Reggie Workman, Wycliffe Gordon and Ghost Train Orchestra. He has played on over 75 albums including Grammy winners and has toured world-wide.

Rob has released 9 critically acclaimed albums as a bandleader and 5 as a co-leader which feature such artists as Joe Lovano, Noah Preminger, Kate McGarry, Leo Genovese, Kim Cass, Dan Tepfer, John O’Gallagher, Gary Versace, Joe Martin, John Hebert, Dave Kikoski and Mike Formanek. His two most recent albums “Natural Bounce” (2023) and “Illumination” (2020) were released on Fresh Sound Records. 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 and 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, a new way for jazz to continue and thrive. He is the founder and artistic director of Connection Works (501c3) and a member of the Brooklyn Jazz Underground.