SAMPLER - Rob Garcia - Drum Solos For Dancers Only
ROB GARCIA
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DRUM SOLOS FOR DANCERS ONLY (Connection Works Records)
Rob Garcia – drum set
These are edited selections from the album. (Savoy Steps, Cowbell Boogie, Americana Thrill, Railway Shuffle Blues, For Hoppers Only, Wide Road)
link to buy album: https://robgarciamusic.bandcamp.com/
New York jazz drummer Rob Garcia has recorded a solo drum set album for swing dancing as well as listening. While his musical endeavors span the full spectrum of jazz, performing with a variety artists such as Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, Joseph Jarman, Wynton Marsalis, Woody Allen, and Vince Giordano, he has also gained much experience playing for swing dancers. Garcia explains the concepts of this album in this artist statement:
“I have played drums extensively for swing dancing especially in the past several years as the Lindy Hop scene has exploded world-wide. When people are dancing, I curtail my drumming, in accompaniment as well as my solos, with that awareness. The dancers are also a part of the ensemble in creating the collective energy. It works best when the band and dancers directly interact in the moment. As a member of an ensemble, I am happy to rise to the needs of the situation. I don’t feel I am compromising my artistry by stating the beat more clearly in my musical ideas to create more danceable music. In fact, rising to this challenge has made me grow and expand my musical vocabulary. I have recorded this album of danceable drum solos with that challenge in mind.
I have become aware that many dancers find it challenging to dance to drum solos in general. I hope this album can serve dancers who wish to improve at following drum solos and song forms. Each track is a 2-4 minute song played on a drum set with no overdubs. Every piece is based on an existing song or new composition with a specific song form; such as a 32 bar A-A-B-A form or a 12 bar blues. Melodies and adaptations of arrangements are orchestrated and stated on the drum set. Of course specific pitches are not represented but the rhythm and shapes of familiar melodies can be heard.
The great drummer Tony Williams said ”The drums hold all of the romance of a violin, all of the impact of brass, and all of the tenderness of a guitar." Another aspect of my approach to playing these drum solos is to create complete music as opposed to just hearing an isolated part of an ensemble. In this case the drum set is the entire ensemble.” - Rob Garcia