Richie Gajate Garcia, Puerto Rican born in New York City, grew up with musical influences of his percussionist step father Doel R. Garcia.
Richie started his formal education at Springfield College in Illinois and then went on to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago where he received his Bachelor’s degree in music education. In 2018, Richie also received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Fine Arts from Lincoln College in Illinois.

Richie currently teaches at both Musician’s Institute and Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena for the past years on a part time basis. He is one of the top clinicians worldwide and has become an ambassador to the world teaching and demonstrating the art of drums and percussion with over 700 clinics to his credit.

Richie has performed, recorded and toured the world as a drummer/percussionist for several major artists including Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, percussionist and drummer for Tony Orlando, John Denver, Art Garfunkel and Persian artist Googgoosh percussionist with Christopher Cross Sting, Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, Hiroshima, Don Henley, Alex Acuña and the Unknowns, Tito Puente, Juan Gabriel, Celia Cruz, Boston Pops with John Denver with John Williams conducting.

Richie’s experiences transcend musical genres from pop, jazz, salsa, country and hip hop and world music styles.

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Richie Gajate-Garcia is a drummer, percussionist, clinician and educator. He has traveled the world and recorded with many renowned artist. His nickname is "El Pulpo" (which means the octopus in Spanish) a nickname given to him for his unique independence and ability to play multiple percussion instruments simultaneously.

Richie was voted to be one of the top Latin percussionists by his peers in the Modern Drummer Reader's Poll and one of the top Rock percussionists in DRUM! Magazine by its readers this year.

Gajete, who is Puerto Rican, grew up on the island with friends of his father which included Tito Puente and Armando Peraza and an appreciation for salsa and a love for Latin percussion. Gajete obtained his bachelor's degree in Music Education from the Conservatory of Music in Chicago, as well as his teaching credentials.

Gajete is a sought after percussionist who has accompanied artists such as Phil Collins, Sting, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Diana Ross, Hiroshima, Patti Labelle, Amy Grant, Brooks and Dunn, Luis Miguel, John Denver, Art Garfunkel and many, many more.

He has recorded on soundtracks to films such as "The Italian Job", "Maid in Manhattan" with Jennifer Lopez, "I-Spy" with Eddie Murphy and the classic "The Mummy Returns" with the London Symphony. He is the percussionist of choice for the Disney studios and has played on many of the Disney Animated films such as; Kronk's New Groove, Emperor's New Groove, Brother Bear, Robots.

Richie has toured the world as a top clinician for Latin Percussion Inc. and Sabian Cymbals Ltd. HE has two instructional videos produced by LP and distributed by Warner Bros. entitled "Close-Up on Congas" and "Close-Up on Bongos and Timbales" from the Adventures in Rhythm series.

He is an author and has three instructional books on the market published by Warner Bros. Publication entitled "Play Timbales Now", "Play Congas Now" and "Play Bongos and Hand Percussion Now". Richie is also a contributing author to DRUM! Magazine.

Richie has three solo projects out. His "Entre Amigos" c.d. celebrates his Latin roots and showcases Richie and his musician friends. This c.d. is a celebration of Richie's life.

His c.d. "Mis Tres Hijos" is an instrumental work of art, which showcases his ability to master the finesse of graceful percussion.

His third CD Reggaeson con tumbao with R & T, Richie and Thania. Reggaeson con tumbao is a hybred of today's popular style Reaggaeton.