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


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

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

Laurie Morvan Band at The Saloon in San Francisco, April 9, 2022

HISTORY: THE MAN BEHIND THE KIT
Performance Styles: Chicago Style Blues, Jazz, R & B, Funk, Classic Rock, Gospel, Latin.
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 Lawndale Blues Festival, LA (Awesome Blue Band)
2019 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 Leimert Park Village Heritage Festival, LA (Gregg Wright)
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, Gee Mack, 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
Opened for: Lil' Milton, Otis Clay
Exodus Drum & Bugle Corps Instructor
Johnny Lee Lane at Eastern Illinois University
Private Clinics: Billy Cobham, Ed Shaughnessy (Tonight Show), Art Farmer
Mardi Gras Rex Parade, New Orleans
American Conservatory of Music, Chicago
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with Michael Hanes
U.S. Army Band
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
- Sun, Feb 12Ventura County Fairgrounds
- Fri, Feb 17The Mixx