Considered by musicians across the globe as one of the best drummers in the world, Matt brings his rhythm-rich family background and consummate percussion education to a variety of SoMar Drummers events. 

 

Picking up the sticks at 8-years old, Matt was joined his father's band by the age of 12, playing blues and reggae at local venues.  At 14 he met Jo Salines who introduced Matt to Fusion, Funk and the Latin music. At the age of 14 Matt appeared in Sallins DVD "Mr. Cool" and released an EP with punk band Backstab in 2006.  His first solo album "Heavy Volume" was released in 2007, before he left high school.

 

Garstka is graduate of Berklee College of Music and featured in GospelChops.com DVD "Shed Sessionz Vol. 3"  After graduating from Berkeley, he moved to Los Angeles and joined his band Animals As Leaders

 

To date, Garstka performed or recorded with artists including Mestis,  Plini, Tigran Hamasyan, Tony Smith, Rohn Lawrence, David Stolz, Doug Johns and more.

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As Director of Artists Relations, Matt reaches out to drummers at the top of the industry, encouraging them to help SoMar Drummers form a strong foundation of excellence in the next generation of drummers.  Now in his 4th year with SoMar Drummers,  Matt brings a forward thinking education model to our events. 

 

He first demonstrated his passion for teaching at the 2021 Winter Drum Camp and joined SoMar as Artists in Residence at the 2022 and 2024 Mid Atlantic Drum Camps.

 

He adjudicated the Drum Set Showcase (virtually) in 2023 and in person in 2024, where he also offered an exclusive clinic and private lessons to the participants of the showcase.​

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Matt endorses DWDrums, Meinl Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks