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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.

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"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.

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

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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.

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  • 2023 Oropeza Middle School (Unified School District of Long Beach) Taught Semester of Percussion Workshop 

  • Oct 2023 San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta (Mike Wheeler Blues Revue, Headliner), Demetria Taylor Band, OJB Blues Revue, Austin Thomason Band

  • 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 & 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

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

Robert Gates

Upcoming/Past Performances

  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Sun, Apr 21
    La Louisanne
    Apr 21, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 22, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Apr 21, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 22, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Mon, Apr 22
    La Louisanne
    Apr 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 23, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Apr 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 23, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Wed, Apr 24
    La Louisanne
    Apr 24, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 25, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Apr 24, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 25, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • Bill Grisolia Band "Blues in the Schools"
    Bill Grisolia Band "Blues in the Schools"
    Bill Grisolia Band "Blues in the Schools"
    Fri, Apr 26
    Location is TBD
    Apr 26, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Location is TBD
    Apr 26, 2024, 9:00 AM
    Location is TBD
    Share
  • Alvarez Band
    Alvarez Band
    Alvarez Band
    Sun, Apr 28
    Skyloft
    Apr 28, 2024, 7:00 PM
    Skyloft, 422 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Apr 28, 2024, 7:00 PM
    Skyloft, 422 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Mon, Apr 29
    La Louisanne
    Apr 29, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 30, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Apr 29, 2024, 8:00 PM – Apr 30, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Wed, May 01
    La Louisanne
    May 01, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 02, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 01, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 02, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Sun, May 05
    La Louisanne
    May 05, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 06, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 05, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 06, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Mon, May 06
    La Louisanne
    May 06, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 07, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 06, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 07, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Wed, May 08
    La Louisanne
    May 08, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 09, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 08, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 09, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Fri, May 10
    Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center
    May 10, 2024, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, 235 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    May 10, 2024, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
    Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, 235 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
    Visit: https://cadillaczackpresents.com/ for more info, tickets
    Share
  • Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Multiple Dates
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Sat, May 11
    Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
    May 11, 2024, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
    May 11, 2024, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290
    Visit: https://cadillaczackpresents.com/ for more info, tickets
    Share
  • Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Multiple Dates
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Sun, May 12
    Malainey's Grill
    May 12, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Malainey's Grill, 168 N Marina Drive Long Beach, CA 90803
    May 12, 2024, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Malainey's Grill, 168 N Marina Drive Long Beach, CA 90803
    Visit: https://cadillaczackpresents.com/ for more info, tickets
    Share
  • Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Multiple Dates
    Chicago's Melvin Taylor Tour
    Mon, May 13
    Maui Sugar Mill
    May 13, 2024, 9:30 PM – May 14, 2024, 1:30 AM
    Maui Sugar Mill, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290, USA
    May 13, 2024, 9:30 PM – May 14, 2024, 1:30 AM
    Maui Sugar Mill, 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290, USA
    Visit: https://cadillaczackpresents.com/ for more info, tickets
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Wed, May 15
    La Louisanne
    May 15, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 16, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 15, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 16, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Sun, May 19
    La Louisanne
    May 19, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 20, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 19, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 20, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Mon, May 20
    La Louisanne
    May 20, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 21, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 20, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 21, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share
  • In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    In The Groove feat. La Rhonda Lewis
    Wed, May 22
    La Louisanne
    May 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 23, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    May 22, 2024, 8:00 PM – May 23, 2024, 12:00 AM
    La Louisanne, 5812 Overhill Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90043
    Share

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