Born in San Juan and raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Fernando García studied guitar at the extension program of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and drum set at Micheo Music Academy (Santurce). Later, he received a bachelor’s degree in Música Popular from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico (Graduating in May 2011).
Furthermore, he was awarded the Juan Luis Guerra Scholarship to complete a master’s degree in Contemporary Performance at Berklee College of Music, Valencia, Spain (Graduating in July 2013). In May 2018, García completed a second master’s degree in Music Education at the prestigious Teachers College, Columbia University.
In New York City, he has established himself as a drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator. Throughout his career, he has worked as a band leader as well as a sideman.
Some musicians García has toured and/or recorded with include Abraham Laboriel, Perico Sambeat, Ricardo Pons, Héctor Matos, Pepe Rivero, Alain Pérez, Guillermo Klein, Julio Montalvo, Victor Mendoza, John Benitez, Ximo Tébar, Nathaniel Townsley, Jim Ridl, Boris Koslov, and Miguel Zenón among others.
In 2023, Fernando García released Behique.
Discography:
Desde Arriba (Fernando García Music, 2012)
Subidor (Montalvo Records, 2013)
Guasábara Puerto Rico (Zoho Music, 2018)
Behique (Sunnyside, 2023)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.