Jazz Articles about Rob Garcia

Rob Garcia: Drum Solos For Dancers Only

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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

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 ...

Joanna Wallfisch: Wild Swan

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 ...

Rob Garcia's Sangha: Heart's Fire

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 ...

Rob Garcia: Place Of Resonance

by Mark F. Turner
February 1, 2002

Drummers have produced some of the more dynamic jazz recordings of late. Jason Marsalis’ Music in Motion ; Brian Blade’s Perceptual ; Ginger Baker’s Coward of the County ; and Jeff Tain Watt’s Citizen Tain, are just a few that have showcased rhythm masters who display pinache and deep skill in their trade. Add another one to the list:Rob Garcia’s stellar outing: Place of Resonance. All good jazz drummers have an acute sense of timing and exceptional perception of sound. ...