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DRUMMER
PERCUSSIONIST

Watching Robert Gates play drums is a study in passionate musicianship. He puts his all into every piece - body, mind, and soul. Ranging from blues to rock, funk to gospel, Robert finds the heart in each and every song he plays.

"Brother Robert is one of the hardest working drummers in the business!" - Gregg Wright

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Robert Gates  |  Drumming

Robert Gates | Drumming

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Blues
Music

Gregg Wright . Cry Myself A River, August. 2018.

Mike Wheeler Blues Revue - That's What Love'll Make You Do - Oct '21

Tate Simms. I Wanna Be Your Lover. Naja's Place - Redondo Beach, May 21, 2023

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HISTORY:  THE MAN BEHIND THE KIT

Performance Styles: Chicago Style Blues, Jazz, R & B, Funk, Classic Rock, Gospel, Latin.

  • Feb 2023 "Forever Motown" with New York Original Cast; Merced, CA & Lancaster, CA

  • Oct 2022 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta (Laurie Morvan Band, Headliner), Gregg Wright Band, Mike Wheeler Blues Revue

  • 2022 Touring with Laurie Morvan Band: NorCal Tour, BC & AB Canada Tour, Midwest Tour, and Southern Tour

  • 2021 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, BC, Mexico (Gregg Wright Band, Headliner) Mike Wheeler Blues Revue, Casey Hensley Band

  • 2021 Produced, Promoted, and Performed the Mike Wheeler Blues Revue SoCal/Mexico Tour '21

  • 2019 Los Angeles Black Music & Film Festival Awards (Drum Technician)

  • 2019 & 2018 Leimert Park Village Heritage Festival, LA (The Gregg Wright Band, Headliner)

  • Feb/Mar 2019 Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine "On The Road" First Call L.A. Drummer

  • 2019 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, BC, Mexico (Gregg Wright, and Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak)

  • 2018 Baja Blues Fest, Rosarito, BC, Mexico (Gregg Wright)

  • 2018 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, BC, Mexico (Gregg Wright)

  • In LA: Performed with: Gregg Wright King of the Rockin' Blues, Rosa Lee Brooks, Tutu Jones (Cadillac Zack LA Tour), Bernie Pearl, Sonny "Thee Bluesman" Green

  • In IA: Performed with: Iowa Hall of Famers George & Gil Davis of Sumpin' Doo, Tina Haase Findlay, Janey Hooper, Scot Sutherland

  • In Chicago: Performed with: Buddy Guy, Linsey Alexander, Howard and Sir Walter Scott & the World Band, Mike Wheeler, John Bruhnke, Professor Eddie Lusk, Charles Crane, Chicago Bears Band, Valerie Wellington, Holle 'THEE' Maxwell

  • '91 Chicago Blues Fest w/Betty Everett, '98 w/Nolan Struck and King Edward, '15 Illinois State Fair

  • Toured with Stan Mosley Blues Band

  • Recorded with: Gregg Wright, Carrie Lyn Infusion, Emery Williams, John Bruhnke, Tina Haase Findlay

  • Exodus Drum & Bugle Corps Instructor

  • Private Clinics: Billy Cobham, Ed Shaughnessy (Tonight Show), Art Farmer

  • American Conservatory of Music, Chicago

  • Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with Michael Hanes

  • Mardi Gras Rex Parade, New Orleans

  • U. S. Army Band School of Music

  • Johnny Lee Lane at Eastern Illinois University (Summer band camps)

  • Centralia, IL HS with David Drillinger

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"Music is the variation of sound and silence. I believe silence has as much value as sound...because the meter keeps going.”

Robert Gates

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Upcoming/Past Performances

  • BMA Awards
    BMA Awards
    Sun, Oct 01
    Los Angeles City College
    Oct 01, 3:30 PM
    Los Angeles City College, 855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
    Oct 01, 3:30 PM
    Los Angeles City College, 855 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
    Drum Tech
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  • OJB Blues Revue
    OJB Blues Revue
    Thu, Oct 05
    Marine Room Tavern
    Oct 05, 9:00 PM – Oct 06, 1:00 AM
    Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Oct 05, 9:00 PM – Oct 06, 1:00 AM
    Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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  • OJB Blues Revue
    OJB Blues Revue
    Fri, Oct 06
    Harvelle's
    Oct 06, 9:00 PM – Oct 07, 1:00 AM
    Harvelle's, 1432 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
    Oct 06, 9:00 PM – Oct 07, 1:00 AM
    Harvelle's, 1432 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
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  • Alvarez Band
    Alvarez Band
    Sat, Oct 07
    Bodega Bar & Grill
    Oct 07, 8:00 PM
    Bodega Bar & Grill, 201 N Citrus Ave, Covina, CA 91723
    Oct 07, 8:00 PM
    Bodega Bar & Grill, 201 N Citrus Ave, Covina, CA 91723
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  • The Mike Wheeler Blues Revue w/Demetria Taylor - ONE SHOW ONLY!!!
    The Mike Wheeler Blues Revue w/Demetria Taylor - ONE SHOW ONLY!!!
    Thu, Oct 12
    The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Ctr
    Oct 12, 8:00 PM
    The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Ctr, 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
    Oct 12, 8:00 PM
    The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Ctr, 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008
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  • Austin Thomason Trio
    Austin Thomason Trio
    Fri, Oct 13
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    10/13: Meet & Greet 6-9pm 10/14: Bands 12-6pm
    Share
  • OJB Blues Revue
    OJB Blues Revue
    Fri, Oct 13
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    10/13: Meet & Greet 6-9pm 10/14: Bands 12-6pm
    Share
  • Mike Wheeler Blues Revue: Headliner
    Mike Wheeler Blues Revue: Headliner
    Fri, Oct 13
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    Oct 13, 6:00 PM – Oct 14, 6:00 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    10/13: Meet & Greet 6-9pm 10/14: Bands 12-6pm
    Share
  • Demetria Taylor
    Demetria Taylor
    Fri, Oct 13
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta
    Oct 13, 6:05 PM – Oct 14, 6:05 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    Oct 13, 6:05 PM – Oct 14, 6:05 PM
    San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta, 21850 San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico
    10/13: Meet & Greet 6-9pm 10/14: Bands 12-6pm
    Share
  • Awesome Blue
    Awesome Blue
    Sun, Oct 22
    Sober Musician's Picnic
    Oct 22, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Sober Musician's Picnic, 1440 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
    Oct 22, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Sober Musician's Picnic, 1440 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
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  • OJB Blues Revue - Private Party
    OJB Blues Revue - Private Party
    Sat, Oct 28
    Private Halloween Party
    Oct 28, 8:00 PM
    Private Halloween Party, Culver City, CA
    Oct 28, 8:00 PM
    Private Halloween Party, Culver City, CA
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  • Zaferia Pros
    Zaferia Pros
    Thu, Sep 28
    Downtown, Long Beach, CA
    Sep 28, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Downtown, Long Beach, CA
    Sep 28, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Downtown, Long Beach, CA
    Pine Avenue, Downtown Long Beach (between 1st & 3rd)
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  • Blues My Way Black Tie Award Event & After Party
    Blues My Way Black Tie Award Event & After Party
    Sat, Sep 23
    Lavender Blue
    Sep 23, 5:00 PM
    Lavender Blue, 3310 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, USA
    Sep 23, 5:00 PM
    Lavender Blue, 3310 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90305, USA
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  • LA Catfish Band with Latrice Cartwright
    LA Catfish Band with Latrice Cartwright
    Fri, Sep 22
    Vanessa's
    Sep 22, 7:00 PM – Sep 23, 12:00 AM
    Vanessa's, 1301 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044
    Sep 22, 7:00 PM – Sep 23, 12:00 AM
    Vanessa's, 1301 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044
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  • Renown Muzic Band
    Renown Muzic Band
    Fri, Sep 15
    La Puente Farmers Market
    Sep 15, 7:15 PM – 9:15 PM
    La Puente Farmers Market, 15900 Central Ave, La Puente, CA 91744
    Sep 15, 7:15 PM – 9:15 PM
    La Puente Farmers Market, 15900 Central Ave, La Puente, CA 91744
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  • The Sons of Muddy Waters with Bill Morganfield
    The Sons of Muddy Waters with Bill Morganfield
    Sat, Sep 09
    Leimert Park - 43rd St & Leimert Ave
    Sep 09, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Leimert Park - 43rd St & Leimert Ave, Leimert Park, Los Angeles, CA 90008
    Sep 09, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Leimert Park - 43rd St & Leimert Ave, Leimert Park, Los Angeles, CA 90008
    The 2nd Annual Barbara Morrison Jazz & Blues Festival
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  • OJB Blues Revue
    OJB Blues Revue
    Thu, Sep 07
    Marine Room Tavern
    Sep 07, 9:00 PM – Sep 08, 1:00 AM
    Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Sep 07, 9:00 PM – Sep 08, 1:00 AM
    Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Share
  • OJB Blues Revue
    OJB Blues Revue
    Fri, Sep 01
    Harvelle's Santa Monica
    Sep 01, 9:30 PM – Sep 02, 1:30 AM
    Harvelle's Santa Monica, 1432 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
    Sep 01, 9:30 PM – Sep 02, 1:30 AM
    Harvelle's Santa Monica, 1432 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
    Share

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