Matt G  
Instruments: Drums
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Marching Band

Since 1992, Teaching private drum lessons, beginner to advanced, all styles (Jazz, Latin, Rock, Classical,etc.) Successfully prepare students for auditions at performing arts highschools in the New York area such as LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. Also was on the faculty at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Turtle Bay Music School, Henry Street Settlement and Rock Academy as well as freelance jobs at Teacher's College and Bard College. I’m a patient teacher and have a knack for getting students to relax and focus on sound and intent when they play. Looking forward to working with you! Drummer, Matt Garrity has been on the New York City jazz scene since 1994. He has performed and recorded with some of the best in the business, including Grammy winners Vincent Herring, Steve Slagle and Joe Lovano as well as David Williams, Eric Alexander, Teri Thornton, David Amram, Peter Bernstein, Ron McLure, Gary Versace, Ed Cherry, Jeremy Pelt, and Jerome Richardson. Originally from Ithaca, NY, Matt attended William Paterson College’s jazz studies program in the early nineties and has studied with renowned performers/ educators John Riley, Horacee Arnold, Rufus Reid, Harold Mabern, Carl Allen, Bill Goodwin, and Ed Shaughnessy, among others. Garrity has since made a name for himself in the music world, performing at some of NYC’s most notorious venues, including…The Blue Note, Birdland, Smalls, Mezzrow, Smoke, Minton's Playhouse, The Jazz Standard, The Kitano Hotel, and The Knitting Factory. Garrity has also toured extensively, including Northwest tours with pianist, Clay Giberson, a summer jazz series at The Baltimore Museum of Art with Grammy winner, Vincent Herring’s Quartet, Midwest shows with master Brand X bassist, Percy Jones, East Coast tours with Grape Jam (Gary Versace and Pete Smith) and West Coast tours with the prolific pianist and composer, Joel Forrester. Matt is featured on pianist Clay Giberson’s 2008 release, Spaceton’s Approach on Origin Records. Matt played with Forrester’s working trio and quintet for close to 20 years and recorded three albums during that time on the Ride Symbol record label. Forrester, who was recently featured in Downbeat Magazine, composed the theme for National Public Radio's "FRESH AIR" with Terry Gross and is also a founding member of The Microscopic Septet. Garrity recently recorded his debut album as a leader on Steeplechase Records due to be released in early 2026.

Syncopation, Stick Control, Wilcoxin, Modern Reading in 4/4, etc... TESTIMONIALS: “I was searching for a drum teacher for my then preteen daughter. She had had other drum teachers, however their approach was one that often left her crying.  A friend recommended Matt and so I welcomed him into my home to teach my daughter how to play drums. My daughter took to him immediately and as an administrator in a local school I recognized in Matt the qualities of a great teacher. Matt was gentle, patient, knew when and how to challenge her and above all made learning fun.  Matt continued to teach my daughter into her teenage years and when it was time to choose a high school Matt prepared her for her audition at LaGuardia High School. Her acceptance into this fine performing arts school is something I attribute to Matt.  I truly feel that he would be a great asset to whatever organization that is lucky enough to have him.” -Nelia W. "My daughter has been studying with Matt for several years and really enjoys it. She is eager to go to class and reports back that she and Matt cover a lot of ground during a relatively short (30-minute) lesson. In addition, the jam sessions that often conclude the lesson are a big hit, enabling her to try out newly-learned skills and hear how they sound when put to music. That, in turn, encourages her to want to take each lesson to the next step. Matt is a terrific teacher!" -Alice Y. "Gabriel took lessons with Matt for five years and really enjoyed learning to play the drums.  Matt was great with him and we think he would be great with kids generally.  We found him very encouraging, making the lessons and the practicing fun, without being overbearing.  In addition, we were all impressed (particularly Amy who studied piano for many years) with his skills as a musician." -Stuart R. "When my fourteen year old son Robert, who has been playing the drums and taking lessons for 7 years, needed a new drum teacher, it was important for me to find the right teacher. We wanted a technical drum instructor with a strong background in jazz as well as someone who would appeal to a young teenager that loves to play classic rock as well. From the very first lesson we knew Matt was that person. Matt is a skilled musician and wonderful teacher. He is a warm person with positive energy and a true professional. At each lesson, Matt instructs Robert, corrects his mistakes while always making him feel at ease. He is respectful and kind and has a great way with kids. I am excited about all the great stuff my son is learning from Matt and I know it will propel Robert to pursue his love for music and keep it a part of his life always."  -Michele I.