Dick Garcia was born in 1931 into a guitar playing family. Although his father and uncles provided informal tuition, he started studying formally with a guitar teacher at the age of 13. In 1950 he joined clarinettist Tony Scott, and then in 1952 became part of the George Shearing Quintet in which the guitar, piano, and vibes parts meshed together very closely. At the end of 1952 he was called up for Army service.
In 1955 he rejoined Tony Scott and also recorded with Joe Roland. The following year he made his only record as sole leader and was also voted number 1 in the Downbeat Magazine Reader's Poll for "Guitar Talent Deserving Wider Recognition." He also appeared as joint leader on a record with guitarist Joe Puma.
In 1959 Dick rejoined George Shearing and remained with him into the 1960s. As time went on he became more involved with studio work around New York and became less visible on the Jazz scene. However for a few years he was certainly a member of the elite of the Jazz Guitar world.
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