Yahuba Garcia: News

Im very excited to announce that I just got my first drum endorsement!!! I am officially playing on a Djembe made by Everyones Drumming. For those of you who frequent the jamband festival scene in New England, you have probably walked into a booth that sells all sorts of African hand drums. This same company has also made drums that you have seen on stage with bands like The Derek Trucks Band, Spearhead, Government Mule and many others. So needless to say I am in good hands and siked to be entering this partnership with a solid and reputable drum maker.

You can check out Everyones Drumming on their website: http://www.everyonesdrumming.com

I am pleased to announce that I have joined the faculty at The Bradford School of Music. The School opens August 1st and I will be teaching private percussion lessons at the school. For those of you who live or know someone who lives in the greater Lawrence/Andover/Haverhill area please spread the word. I will be filling up a schedule for the fall.

You can get all the details about the school and how to enrol at:
http://www.bradfordschoolofmusic.com

The following is a review of the Pollotronik All Stars live performance at the Barley Pub in Dover, NH February 8, 2006.

Field Report Review

Pollotronic All-Stars
The Barley Pub
Dover, NH


Old school funk-jazz was in the air at the Barley Pub in Dover last Wednesday evening when the Pollotronik All-Stars rolled into town for a one nighter at the Garrison City establishment. The sextet, led by conga/percussionist Yahuba Garcia laid down some nasty funk grooves over which the various soloists in the band created imaginative improvisations. In addition to Garcia, the other members included Nate Wilson on keyboards, Pete Fedele on guitar, Steve Giannaros on tenor saxophone, Ben Alman on bass and Pete McLean on drums.
The set I caught drew heavily from the Herbie Hancock/Headhunters book. The band opened with a driving version of Hancock’s Hang Up Your Hangups and featured stirring well crafted solos form Wilson, Giannaros and particularly Fedele, whose guitar work was a pleasant revelation to me. Fedele has a fine sense of structure in his solo work, creating improv’s that have a story like arc to them. A hypnotic slow funk version of John Coltrane’s India followed with everyone getting into the solo act including a superb series of exchanges between Garcia and McLean. Hancock’s Watermelon Man ala the original version from the composer’s Blue Note Recording Takin’ Off followed with Giannaros and Wilson playing well conceived and imaginative solos. The set closed with a decent take on Hancock’s Actual Proof form the Headhunter’s Thrust recording. A difficult tune to work with, this was the loosest tune of the evening. But, the individual playing was spot on and the band brought it home with a rousing climax.
Most notable about the players in this band was their collective spirit and enthusiasm for the music they played. They’re all highly accomplished players. Giannaros has a beautiful full sound on the tenor, Wilson continues to amaze with his continued growth and assurance as an improviser, Fedele as mentioned earlier was a pleasant surprise and the bass drum team of Alman and McLean has a rock solid groove pocket that bends and flexes when needed. They compliment each other beautifully. And then there’s Yahuba, who is in my mind one of the finest young percussionists to come on the scene. He has a great set of ears and a terrific sense of musical color. This is a terrific band with plenty of promise.

-Alan Chase
Alan Chase is a musician and writes concert reviews for New Hamshire's arts paper, The Wire.

The Pollotronik All Stars return to action in February. The group with be at The Barley Pub in Dover, NH on February 8. The lineup will feature, Pete MacLean on drums, Nate Wilson on keys, Ben Alman on bass, Steve Giannarros on sax & Peter Fedele on guitar.
Visit www.barleypub.com for directions and info.

Check out my new page on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/pollotronikproduktions

Happy New Year familia!!!

2006 brings many exciting musical ventures:

*Every Wednesday night in January, I will be at the Barley Pub in Dover, NH with a powerhouse group led by organist, Ben Zecker. This gig will include the likes of Pete McLane on drums, Jay Yost on guitar, Sam Kininger on sax, Ben Zecker on the Hammond organ and myself on congas.

*Ryan Montbleau’s CD drops on Valentine’s day and I will be playing the CD Release party with them at the Somerville Theatre on February 17. Check Ryan’s site for release promotions and tickets.

*For those of you that go way back with me, you may have heard the rumors brewing already about yet another Cotton Mouth reunion. We did one a few years back, and to our dismay, 300+ people showed up. It was a pretty intense evening and so it looks like were gonna throw another one down on March 11 at The Gaelic Club in Lowell. More details to come….

*As for me…. I promise you that this year I will release my first album featuring my music. I will be taking you on a tour of my country and musical roots… hope you’re willing to come along for the ride with me.

May 2006 bring peace and blessings to you and the world. Tell someone you love them every day.

“Whether you think you can, or you think you cant, you’re probably right!” – Stewie Griffin

Check out the "Musica" page and listen to a recording I made of Ben Zecker's organ group featuring, Jeff Lockhart, Peter MacLane and myself.
There are also new pics up on the gallery from recent shows. Scroll to the bottom of the gallery to see the new pics.

ENJOY!!!

I am currently accepting students for anyone interested in studing hand percussion at beginer or intermediate levels. Lessons are $40/hr at my house or $50/hr if I travel to you. You can contact me at yahuba@pollotronik.com to set that up!!!

So here it is... my very own website. This will be your ultimate source on my musical excursions and an entry portal into info about myself as well as the bands I play with. Enjoy, and dont forget to sign the guestbook!!!