Born in New York, Freddie Gruber came up in the nascent New York be-bop scene where he gigged with Charlie Parker and other jazz greats.

It was also where he met his close friend of 60 plus years, jazz legend Roy Haynes.

It was his roommate and longtime friend, Buddy Rich, who most influenced Freddie's teaching, namely Rich’s "style, technique, and guts."

The list of drum luminaries who have studied with Freddie Gruber include Adam Nussbaum, Ian Wallace, Neil Peart, Steve Smith, Mike Baird, John Guerin and Dave Weckl.