5 Quick Questions with L.A. Musician, David Garfield

L.A.’s Hardest-Working Musician? That could very well be David Garfield, who’s the longtime Musical Director for famed jazz guitarist George Benson and an in-demand session-man. Garfield – who regularly...

L.A.’s Hardest-Working Musician? That could very well be David Garfield, who’s the longtime Musical Director for famed jazz guitarist George Benson and an in-demand session-man. Garfield – who regularly gigs with some of the biggest names in music under the moniker David Garfield and the Cats – currently has the #2 song on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Chart, “Go Home,” and a rapidly-rising Country single he co-wrote with the great Smokey Robinson, “I Lied.”
Garfield is interviewed here as part of Indie Go Rock’s “5 Quick Questions” series.
IGR: You’ve just released two new singles – “Go Home”, which is jazz-flavored; and “I Lied”, which is Country. How are you able to go from one music genre to another so effortlessly?

DG: Well, I believe all music is just made up of 12 notes and 3 or 4 beats to the bar….so you know there are many common elements. I’ve been so fortunate to work with many different artists in many styles over my forty-plus years in the music business, so I’ve picked up many things along the way. Also, having worked in the studios a lot, I’ve learned how to adapt, and shift styles as needed to do the job!

IGR: Much to your credit, you’ve been able to make a nice living as a professional musician, no easy task in today’s music industry. To what do you attribute your success?

DG: I think listening is one of the biggest and most important qualities in making music with others and I feel I’ve been blessed with good ears. Also, having a willingness to do a good job and do it to the satisfaction of the employers and the listeners is key. To be willing to please and not be arrogant and unapproachable.

IGR: Of all the great musicians you’ve worked and/or collaborated with throughout your career, who are the ones that have had the biggest impression on you?

DG: Well there are so many…… David Paich from Toto….. he’s such an excellent songwriter (Lowdown, Got to be Real, Rosanna, Africa) and his writing and arranging have influenced me as well his approach to playing keyboards in a rhythm section. Jeff Porcaro ….. the legendary drummer (Toto) and session great had a wonderful sense of working in the studio….he always put out his best from his heart and that influenced me as a path to being a great asset to a session…..and he always was ready to try and do what he thought was right for the song which is very important. Joe Sample…..his timing and sense of groove were impeccable as was his touch… I could go on & on!!!

IGR: What are some of the uh-ohs/things not to do that you can advise young and/or just-starting-out musicians about, relating to the music business?

DG: Do your homework!! Be prepared for the rehearsal and/or gig/session. DON’T be defensive or give explanations of why you made a mistake or missed something or even didn’t understand something. Just ask what you can do to get it right!! Listen to what the boss or other band members are striving for and want and try to think about how to accommodate that especially the Artist/Star’

IGR: A good plan is never a bad thing to have in any business or profession. What is David Garfield’s five-year (music) business plan from this point on, going forward?

DG: Well….. I plan to finish this forty-plus song project I’m working on, release all of it as singles, EP’s, and various CDs culminating with a complete box set at the end. And I plan to promote it thoroughly and do some shows in conjunction with its release around the world and locally here in LA. I will also continue to tour some with George Benson (as Keyboardist & Musical Director) as well as fill in with my old friend David Sanborn when needed.
THANK YOU so much for your interest in me and for doing this interview.
http://www.davidgarfield.com
https://www.facebook.com/DavidGarfieldMusic

 

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