Richie Gajate-Garcia: TIO - #richiegajate-garcia #drummerworld

Richie Gajate-Garcia is a drummer, percussionist, clinician and educator. He has traveled the world and recorded with many renown artists. His nickname is “El Pulpo“ (which means the octopus in Spanish) a nickname given to him for his unique independence and ability to play multiple percussion instruments simultaneously. Richie was voted to be one of the top Latin percussionists by his peers in the Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll and one of the top Rock percussionists in DRUM! Magazine by its readers. Gajate, who is Puerto Rican grew up on the island with friends of his father which included Tito Puente and Armando Peraza and an appreciation for salsa and a love for Latin percussion. Gajate obtained his bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the Conservatory of Music in Chicago, as well as his teaching credentials. Gajate is a sought after percussionist who has accompanied artists such as Phil Collins, Sting, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Diana Ross, Hiroshima, Patti Labe