David Garibaldi Episode 2

David Garibaldi came up in the San Fransisco music scene of the 1960’s. This time and place was a fusion of musical styles,  and experimentation that may never come again. At times, San Fransisco’s Fillmore Auditorium presented shows with multiple styles of music all on the same bill — Think of Psychedelic rock, together with electric blues and folk music,   or — Motown, Jam bands, and Cool Jazz acts,  all on the stage, the same night, and you’ll get the idea.

From this rich blend, Tower of Power emerged, fusing all of their influences into a sound that was their own, but that still echoes the best of an incredible variety of music. David Garibaldi was there in the early years, and is with them now,  playing a style of drumming that is instantly recognizable.

When someone creates a unique sound from so many influences, and continues to grow with it for years, drummers around the world listen closely. I have at least two Drummeradio guests who have transcribed everything that David has recorded, and one who recalls falling into day-long arguments with his friends over just exactly what he played on a certain measure of a given song. David has been generously helpful in this regard. With a monthly column in Modern Drummer Magazine, and a series of instructional videos, he articulates his musical approach, with titles like,  “The Code of Funk”, “Breaking the Code”, and “Tower of Groove”.

It is also valuable to listen to what David has on his own playlist— not just for his influences and how he has synthesized them, but also to get a feel for the new music he is listening to right now, and to get a glimpse at what he might play next. David has been kind enough to stop in again and let us check it all out.

Listen to the David Garibaldi Podcast – Episode 2

David Garibaldi’s Playlist

California En Clave — Roberto Carcasses

Album: Invitation
Drums: Hilario Bell

Nick of Time — Bonnie Raitt

Album: Nick of Time,1989
Drums: Tony Braunagel

Ten-Thirty — Ray Obiedo

Album: There Goes That, 2015
Drums: Sheila E.
Percussion: Peter Michael Escovedo

I Know You Got Soul — Bobby Byrd

Single: 1971
Drums: Jabo Starks

Unlock Your Mind — George Jackson

Album: George Jackson in Muscle Shoals, 2002
Drums: Roger Hawkins

Bigfoot — David Sanborn

Album: Hearsay, 1994
Drums: Steve Jordan

You Must Believe in Spring — David Sanborn

Album: Closer, 2005

Page One — Tower of Power

Album:Oakland Zone, 2003
Drums: David Garibaldi

Bali H’ai — Randy Waldman

Album: UnReel, 2001
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta

Livin’ in a Worl’ Gone Mad — Dumpstaphunk

Album: Listen Hear, 2007
Drums: Raymond Webber

The Moontrane — Chester Thompson

Album: Mixology, 2012
Drums: Mike Clark

You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To — Art Pepper

Album: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, 1957
Drums: Philly Joe Jones

Pocketful of Soul — Tower of Power

Album: The Oakland Zone, 2003
Drums: David Garibaldi