EP 85: How the Keyboard Became My Passport to the World with David Garfield

What do you get when you mix a seven-year-old piano prodigy, a drummer-turned-keyboardist, and a career that spans more than 50 years of world-class jazz?

You get David Garfield.

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the multi-talented David Garfield—keyboardist, composer, arranger, producer, label owner, and musical director whose impact on the jazz and world music scene is impossible to measure.

David takes us back to his early days in St. Louis, where Top 40 radio shaped his ear and a group of bar-playing musicians changed his trajectory forever. We talk about how a single rhythm test pushed him to switch from piano to drums, only for fate to bring him full circle—and back to the keys.

He shares intimate stories of working alongside Nathan East, touring the globe with George Benson, and what it really means to be present in the music. David doesn’t believe in multitasking—he believes in presence. He believes in feeling the music and creating something that truly connects. That mindset has guided his every move—from founding Creatchy Records to performing in packed jazz clubs around the world.

We reflect on 50 years of life and music in Los Angeles, the meaning behind his upcoming book and companion album “Outside the Box,” and the beautiful unpredictability of playing live. Whether you're a musician, a fan of jazz history, or someone chasing their creative calling, this conversation is a deep dive into the mind of a master.

Connect with David: www.davidgarfield.com