About Me
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David Garcia is a drummer and percussionist originally from Los Angeles, CA. Born into a Cuban family, David was introduced to many styles of music at a young age. Beginning at age 11 David was active in school band playing snare drum and bass drum. He later began playing the drumset at the age of 13. David's early influences were rock and progressive rock drummers like Neil Peart, John Bonham and Stewart Copeland, later going through his metal phase with influences like Dave Lombardo, Nicke Andersson and Sean Reinert. By the age of 18 David was touring the U.S. with hardcore/grind band Phobia. After a bit of disillusionment with some of the negativity inherent in the hardcore scene, the rigors of touring, and the desire to expand his musical horizons, David discovered the heavy polyrhythmic drumming of artists like Elvin Jones, Billy Cobham and the world percussion artistry of Mickey Hart's Planet Drum. David decided it was time to get serious about studying and enrolled in Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) in Hollywood, CA. During his time at PIT David was exposed to a convergence of styles, backgrounds, and information that was unparalleled anywhere else in his experience. Exposure to different styles also inadvertently brought David closer to his Cuban roots by getting him started on conga drumming and other percussion instruments, to which he owes much credit to master percussionist and teacher Richie 'Gajate' Garcia. On the more 'roots' side of things David's percussion studies and playing were heavily influenced by Carlos 'Patato' Valdes, Mongo Santamaria and Airto to name a few. Upon completing his studies David began freelancing and traveling; playing in diverse situations from big band jazz, to r&b, to hip-hop and of course the ubiquitous rock, as both drummer and percussionist with musicians from all over the world. David also was invited back to PIT, but this time as an instructor, teaching applications of latin and r&b for drumset and percussion instruments. David's thirst for expanding his horizons led to sessions for labels, television and film and performances with some of the business' top artists. Some notable artists he has recorded and/or performed with include Raphael Saadiq, D'Angelo, Erykah Badu and others. David continues to study, play, record and teach. He currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA.
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