RICHIE GAJATE GARCIA
Richie Gajate-Garcia
Richie Gajate-Garcia has conducted more than 450 clinics and remains one of the most in demand educators and clinicians. His name is also on one of LP’s most popular products, the LP Gajate Bracket.
Most recently, Garcia has recorded and/or performed with Sting and Phil Collins, as well as worked on film scores for Jennifer Lopez’ new film «Maid in Manhattan» and Eddie Murphy’s latest «I-Spy,» as well as «The Mummy Returns». He also completed his new solo cd, «Entre Amigos,» and has toured with Diana Ross, Don Henley, Patti LaBelle, and Hiroshima. «I constantly look for new sounds,» he says, «and I’m not completely partial to any one instrument, which I feel adds color and appeal to my playing».
Richie became an LP artist in 1975, when he was playing with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. «If you want to be a percussionist, and be recognized of as a professional, then you play LP,» he says. «The quality is noticeable, LP makes the best gear available.»
Garcia knows that percussion was a natural career choice for him. «I’m Puerto Rican, and percussion instruments are found all throughout our culture.» Richie made the decision to play music full time while attending college at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Richie’s main influences were his father (a percussionist with The Xavier Cugat Orchestra), Armando Peraza, Monchito Munoz (timbalero with Tito Rodriguez),Changuito, Candido Camero and Giovanni Hidalgo.
Richie Gajate-Garcia’s technique is demonstrated on his videos, Adventures in Rhythm Volumes 1 and 2, produced by Latin Percussion.
Richie Gajate-Garcia teamed up with LP to create a high quality line of congas and bongos, featuring unique artwork by L.A. based artist Hector
Garcia.
