Grammy Nominated Garcia Hosts Day of Percussion

Pasadena, CA: Los Angeles Music Academy College of Music (lamusicacademy.edu) is partnering with the Drum Department's own Richie Gajate Garcia for a “Day of Percussion" on Saturday, June 12th starting at 9:00am. The man known as “El Pulpo" ("The Octopus") has done nearly 500 clinics and is one of the most in-demand educators and clinicians in the world of drums and percussion. Originally from Puerto Rico, Garcia has accompanied Phil Collins, Sting, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Diana Ross among other greats.

Garcia teaches LA Music Academy's hand percussion classes and was recently voted one of the top Latin and Rock percussionists in Modern Drummer's and DRUM! Magazine's Readers' Polls, respectively.

“Richie will explain the finer points of Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and Contemporary Pop percussion and delve into multiple percussion and hybrid setups," says Mike Packer, a member of the drum faculty and the school's Vice President. He adds, “Attendees can expect to get a well rounded perspective of the stylistic roles of many percussion instruments, and how to play them." Garcia will cover a wide variety of topics and instruments throughout the day.

The tentative schedule also includes: Introduction to the shaker, surdo, triangle, tambourim, pandeiro, tan tan, and agogo; Brazilian group ensemble and play along; Pro advice from a special Brazilian musical guest; Learning the instruments of Afro-Cuban music such as the clave, guiro, maracas, congas, bongos, timbales and cajon; Learning independence exercises that help you play many instruments at the same time; Constructing hybrid setups that will help give you an edge when playing in many different musical situations.

The “Day of Percussion" will conclude with a concert featuring Garcia and his band. Packer says, “Students who would like to play with Garcia and the band will have an opportunity to do so in the second half hour of the performance."

Garcia's CDs and books will also be available after the concert concludes at 7:30 PM.

For more information about LA Music Academy, visit lamusicacademy.edu, call 626-568-8850 or e-mail [email protected]. LA Music Academy is located at 370 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105. Follow the school on Twitter: @LAmusicacademy and Facebook: facebook.com/LAmusicacademy.

About LA Music Academy
LA Music Academy in Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, CA, offers an intimate and friendly, yet serious and rigorous contemporary music education to male and female students 18 and over through its vocal, drum, bass and guitar programs. Founded in 1996, the Academy is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and has provided a solid musical foundation for more than 1,000 international and domestic students. LA Music Academy's 35 instructors immerse students in practical courses. The Academy offers a significant number of real world playing situations with professional musicians, not just peers, setting the school apart from other prestigious music institutions. LA Music Academy gives its students the skills necessary to apply their learning in a wide variety of professional situations in the music industry.