My Story
My Story 0 - 13
Thanks for visiting my website!
THEN:
I was hatched on Valentines day 1960 in Queens, New York during a terrible Blizzard.
My sister and I shared a bedroom and became avid listeners of the top 100 songs on AM radio. We couldn't wait until December 31st because the top 100 songs of the year were counted down. That infatuation with music that started at 7 years old is still growing stronger every day.
My passion and admiration for groups like Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Rolling Stones and the Doors set a path that would guide me for the rest of my life.
What these groups had in common was great songs and specifically for me, great Drummers! I developed a love for the Drums by listening and admiring Doug Clifford, Michael Shrieve, Ian Paice and of course, Gene Krupa.
In 1970, my overly supportive parents took me to see Creedence, Santana, Alice Cooper and Johnny Winter. That cemented the direction the rest of my life would happily take.
The first gig I had was playing the Michael Shrieve Drum solo from "Soul Sacrafice" at my elementary school's talent show; then, playing "Proud Mary at my Bar Mitsvah.
The gigs and practice never waned since then.
14 to 35
At 15 years I decided to give my parents a break and stop playing Drums in my small bedroom and became enamored with visual art. I attended the High School of
Art & Design on 2nd ave. and 57 st. in Manhattan. After seeing the talent some of these young artists had convinced me not to pursue art and get back to my true love love (Drums). So at 18 my dad bought me a set of beautiful classic set of used silver sparkle Ludwig Drums which I had until I was 62.
During my 20's I played in many Rock bands and played many club dates. My musical taste and appreciation became more refined as I started listening more to more sophisticated music. One of my cousin turned me on to King Crimson's album "Larks Tongues in Aspic" and totally blew me away! This led me to more obscure Progressive Rock bands that records could only be found in the import sections. Bands like Soft Machine, Henry Cow, National Health, Gentle Giant, etc.
This led me to Jazz Rock Fusion and finally acoustic Jazz which cemented the direction that would encompass the rest of my musical life. A few years later at 24, on a trip to visit my cousin in California, I was exposed to Calypso music which I immediately fell in love with and couldn't get enough of. Upon my return to Queens, I visited many Caribean record stores in Jamaica and built a collection of Calypso and African records.
36 to 62
At 36 years old, after finally getting BA in Music Education, I was fortunate to land the best teaching gig in New York City. I landed a job at LaGuardia High School For Music & Art and Performing Arts. This is one of the greatest public high school in the country.
This is where I really got an education. The students and teachers were enormously talented and dedicated to their craft. I developed my own Music Technology curriculum which gave my students a well rounded program that nurtured many aspects of their musical development that supplemented their core classes. I received many grants and built a beautiful state of the art Music Tech / recording Studio lab which my students could thrive in.
At 46 and 48, I had my 2 beautiful children, Andrew and Diana who both have a profound love for the arts. Not a Surprise
During my tenure at LaGuardia, I continued to gig, compose and record music.
After 27 years, I decided it was time to move on to the next phase.
62 - now
After retirement, I have been composing music for large ensembles including a Symphony, Concert band piece, tone poem and over 30 big band Jazz charts.
I have also gone back to my roots and have been playing in Rock bands in addition to playing Jazz. I have recorded an album with my son Andrew called "The Fogel Point".
Our plan is to record a second album of our original compositions.
Andrew is a very gifted Pianist and composer. He attends a great music school in Boston.
My daughter is an extremely talented musical theater performer. She will be attending a prestigious college for Music Theater and has performed many leading roles in community theater.We hope to see her on a Broadway stage in the near future!
Words cannot adequately express how my passion for music has touched my and my kids lives.
I hope my music will convey this to you where words are cannot.
Thanks for your patronage!
Gary
photos
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Audio and CD's
Upcoming Events
Eastern Front Brewery with Jerry Jive
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 6pm - 9pm
Riptides Cocktails and Grille with Jerry Jive
Friday, Sept 25, 2026 7pm -10pm
Eastern Front Brewery with Jerry Jive
Friday, Oct 30, 2026 6pm - 9pm
Scores
Arrangements audio
Free Score Downloads
All Scores and parts are available
Video
After the hassle of going through customs at the London train station, my son Andrew wrote this piece on the train called " Thru Customs".
Andrew Fogel, Piano
Tim Ferguson, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Electric Grape performing Andrew's composition and arrangement of "Night Driving in3"
Jerry Jive at Arrowhead Ranch
"Don't Let Go"
Johnny Mac, Guitar Vocals
Maureen Secco, Vocals
Christine Eisen, Vocals
Hunt Bresky, Keyboard
Gary Fogel, Drums
Jeff Laino, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
The Lagtet at Mishiko Studio
"Keeper of the Spring"
Andrew Beals, Alto Sax
Peter Brainen, Tenor, Soprano Sax
Jonathan Saraga, Trumpet
Lisa Pike, French Horn
Amadis Dunkel, Trombone
Shawn Rhoads, Trombone
Hyuna Park, Piano
Tim Ferguson, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Sound House Improvisation 3-n-ui-..w
Drum Solo
Drum solo from earlier days at the Coventry Club in Sunnyside, Queens 1984
With Bill Stevens Harmonic Exporations Group
Bill Stevens Harmonic Explorations II
"On Parallel Lines"
Bill Stevens, Trumpet
Richard Philbin, Saxophone
Harry Miller, Piano
Luca "Soul Rosenfeld, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Bill Stevens Harmonic Explorations II
"Beyond Sound and Space"
Bill Stevens, Trumpet
Richard Philbin, Saxophone
Harry Miller, Piano
Luca "Soul Rosenfeld, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Bill Stevens Harmonic Explorations III
"DOS"
Bill Stevens, Trumpet
Richard Philbin, Saxophone
Harry Miller, Piano
Luca "Soul Rosenfeld, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Bill Stevens Harmonic Explorations I
"Distance Becomes Light"
Bill Stevens, Trumpet
Braden Smith, Saxophone
Hyuna Park, Piano
Luca "Soul Rosenfeld, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Richard Russo Quartet at Cleopatra's Needle
"If I were a Bell"
Andrew Beals, Alto Sax
David Mark, Piano
Richard Russo, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
The LaGtet at Something Jazz Club
"Idyllic Thoughts"
Jonathan Saraga, Trumpet
Matt Chiasson, Tenor Sax
Daro Behroozi, Bass Clarinet
Dale Turk, Trombone
Harry Miller, Piano
Brian Questa, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
Virtual Ensemble at Wednesday's Club, NYC
"G F Mode"
Michael Zarifis, Alto Sax
David Cohen, Guitar
Yves Abel, Bass
Gary Fogel, Drums
LaGuardia HS Percussion Ensemble
"Inca Roads"
LaGuardia HS Percussion Ensemble
"Cogs in Cogs"
LaGuardia HS Percussion Ensemble
"Beelzebub"
LaGuardia HS Percussion Ensemble
"Perfectly Frank" Dan Levitan
LaGuardia HS percussion Ensemble
"Discussion"
LaGuardia HS Percussion Ensemble
"Santana Medley"
Contact Us
Let's Connect
Do you have questions, want to book a show, or collaborate on a new piece? Reach out, and let's make music happen.
garyfogelmusic@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events
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Sunday Supper Club
Every Sunday
Evenings in the Park
First Friday of the Month
Morning Brews & Views
Every Saturday
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