ABOUT

Curt Garey

NYC jazz scene veteran • Drummer • Educator

Curt Garey is a versatile drummer known for his musical sensitivity, creative improvisation, and ability to bring the right feel to a wide range of musical settings. Best known for his work in jazz and improvised music, he spent more than a decade performing throughout New York City’s vibrant music scene, appearing at renowned venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Zinc Bar, and the historic Minton’s Playhouse.

A graduate of the University of North Texas, where he studied with legendary drummer Ed Soph, Garey collaborated during his student years with musicians including Michael League, Bob Lanzetti, and Mike Maher—who would later become members of the Grammy-winning ensemble Snarky Puppy.

Press & Highlights

• Performed at leading New York City venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Zinc Bar, and Minton’s Playhouse
• Shared the stage with artists including Matt Wilson, Junior Mance, and Brian Newman
• Recorded with The Suite Unraveling on Tzadik Records
• Toured internationally throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, and China

Selected Performances & Collaborations

Brian Newman
Matt Wilson
Junior Mance
Andrew Gould
Ratzo Harris
Marcus McLaurine
Andrew D’Angelo
Jeff Lederer
Eli Bolin
Peter Maness
Nick Palumbo
Tim Price
Daisy Jopling

Selected Recordings

• The Suite Unraveling — The Suite Unraveling (Tzadik Records)
• Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! — Lloyd H. Miller
• The Jones/Garey Duet — self-released cassette recording

Educational Outreach & Masterclasses

Curt works with students through clinics, masterclasses, and educational workshops focused on jazz drumming, improvisation, musical interaction, and the development of time feel.

He has presented guest clinics at:

• University of North Texas
• Ithaca College
• Texas A&M University
• University of New Mexico

Full Biography

Curt Garey is a versatile drummer known for his musical sensitivity, creative improvisation, and ability to serve the music with taste, imagination, and dynamic range. A seasoned performer and educator, he has traveled internationally performing and teaching while developing a reputation as a thoughtful and responsive collaborator.

Before returning to his home state of Kansas in 2019, Garey was an active participant in New York City’s vibrant and eclectic music scene from 2006–2018. During that time he performed with a wide range of respected artists including Brian Newman, Matt Wilson, Junior Mance, Andrew Gould, Ratzo Harris, Marcus McLaurine, Andrew D’Angelo, Jeff Lederer, Eli Bolin, Peter Maness, Nick Palumbo, Tim Price, and Daisy Jopling.

Garey earned a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where he studied with renowned jazz drummer Ed Soph. While at UNT he collaborated with fellow students including Michael League, Bob Lanzetti, and Mike Maher, along with Tom Luer, Lily Maase, and Brad Williams.

Before his time at North Texas, Garey studied percussion at Wichita State University under the guidance of Dr. J.C. Combs. During those years he developed a close musical partnership with fellow musician Warren Jones, now based in Denver. The two formed an exploratory duo devoted to improvisation and creative music, resulting in a modest self-released recording titled The Jones/Garey Duet, distributed on cassette tape.

The music reflected their shared admiration for the adventurous spirit of artists such as Don Cherry, Ed Blackwell, and Dewey Redman, as well as the collective improvisational approach associated with the Art Ensemble of Chicago.

During his years in New York, Garey performed at venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, Brooklyn Bowl, The Iridium, The Knitting Factory, Jazz at Kitano, Rockwood Music Hall, Joe’s Pub, Roulette, Barbes, The Metropolitan Room, 54 Below, Zinc Bar, and the historic Minton’s Playhouse.

His touring has taken him throughout the United States as well as Europe, Mexico, and China. Early in his career he gained national touring experience performing in the 1999 U.S. national tour of The King and I.

Artist Quotes

“Yeah, man! You played your butt off!”
— Albert 'Tootie' Heath

“Curt swings, plays sensitively, is incredibly creative, musical and resourceful, produces a wonderful sound, and is a brave improviser.”
— Matt Wilson