Dick Garcia (1931) started playing the guitar at age 9 and by age 19 recorded with Tony Scott. Between the years 1950 and 1955 he recorded with Lenny Hambro, Joe Roland Johnny Glasel and Milt Buckner. In 1955 he recorded his only album as leader A Message from Garcia.

In 1956 Garcia made a series of sides with Joe Puma, which can be found on the ABC release, Four Most Guitars. The Garcia/Puma collaboration on I’m Old Fashioned from this record ranks with the very best of guitar duet performances.

Garcia came to national prominence while playing with the George Shearing Quintet and he appeared on several Shearing recordings.

Whether playing duets, leading his own small groups or playing in ensembles, Dick Garcia demonstrated enormous facility on the guitar. His work with Hambro and Glasel stood out as excellent examples of his work, from tight unison playing with Hambro to his exceptional rhythm, comping and solos.

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