Gary Hobbs became a legend in his own time as the drummer who joined the Stan Kenton Orchestra right out of college, following such class acts as Gene Krupa and Shelley Manne.

At 59, with 38 years of gigging behind him, he is still the guy who drives big bands, undaunted by tempo changes or polyrhythms. But with smaller groups, Hobbs is also the guy on the cajon set, who coaxes organic Latin rhythms from wooden boxes and goat hooves.

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WEBSITE NOW ONLINE

Welcome to my website. We are in the spring term at the University Of Oregon. The Jazz Major program at the University is full of fine young musicians and a wonderful group of educators. We are looking forward to playing and teaching this great form of music.


We hope you will check out Rich Cole's new origin release "Shade". I was lucky enough to play on this great project along with Randy Brecker and a cast of great Seattle players.


Another great CD on which I appear has been out for a few months now. Check out the Don Immel release "Long Way Home" on the DTI label. Mark Seales and Dave Captein appear on the Denmark residents first release. Very fresh.


Mark, Dave and I, along with Pat Metheny's trumpet play Cuong Vu, also just recorded 6 tunes in Seattle and I hope this new material will soon be released as a CD.


If you get a chance please read the cover story of the January issue of Jazz Scene, Oregon's Jazz Magazine. The article is written by Nancy Barker and tells the story of my life as a jazz musician and talks about my views on the state of the art. Nancy did a great job and I had a very good time during her interview.


I had a great time playing in Eugene, OR at the Shedd Institue's Jazz Party March 7-9. Jazz greats Dave Frishberg, Ken Peplowsky, Bill Mays, Scott Whitfied and many others were playing some swinging jazz for the second year of this fun event. The same group of players will be back at the Shedd in March of 2009 for another cookin' party. Join us.


Clay Jenkins, Reggie Thomas, Rick Haydon and I just had a great time out in the St. Louis area doing some clinics and finishing up our new CD. It was 4 years in the making but wait until you hear this original music. Hammond B3, guitar, trumpet and drums playing slammin' grooves and adventurous compositions.


I am also very excited about recently becoming a Bosphorus Cymbal artist. The sound and feel of these beautiful instruments are beyond description. I hope you will be able to check out some of my gigs and hear how great these cymbals sound. I look forward to a long and happy association with this company.



Keep checking in and find out what's going on with my bands and find out where I have been playing and where I will be playing in the future. More to come soon.

NEW ORIGIN RECORDS COMMERCIAL FEATURING GARY HOBBS' "OF MY TIMES" AIRING IN SEATTLE

Hades Ladies, from Gary Hobbs' "Of My Times" is one of the featured tracks for Origin Records "The Music You Need" televison commercial campaign. The 5 commercials are currently in rotation on MSNBC, CNN, BET, Comedy Central and other channels on Comcast Cable in Seattle and soon expanding to other markets.

Click here to visit the Origin Records site to view the commercials online.

DOWNLOAD 'HOLY WAR' -- available only online
Gary Hobbs' new tune, Holy War, is available to download free-of-charge from garyhobbs.net. If you like the tune, feel free to make a contribution of $1 to the artist.

Holy War (mp3 format)

GARY HOBBS PROMO SHOT

For your pleasure ... click here to download a high-rez headshot of Gary Hobbs.