
About Garrett Waite
Deliberately shunning category and genre, Garrett’s music features memorable melodies, psychedelic textures, and virtuosic improvisations. Not quite rock, not quite jazz, his songs and jams harken back to the fusion explorations of the seventies refracted through the twang of Americana and a rich host of world music influences.
Garrett has been a strong presence in the Milwaukee music scene since 2022, lending his versatile guitar playing and singing to original local acts such as Match Stick, Craig Baumann & the Story, Freejoy, and Day Tvvo in addition to his own original projects. He currently tours with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Phillip-Michael Scales and hosts a monthly open jazz jam at Bar Centro.
Garrett’s new solo album, Shapeshifter, is set to release on all streaming platforms January 23rd. He is endorsed by House Guitars and Donmoyer Guitars.
Some of his notable teachers include Jack Grassel, JoAnne Brackeen, Kenny Werner, Terence Blanchard, Mick Goodrick, Kenn Fox, Mike Stern, David Fiuczynski, Bryan Sutton, and David Tronzo.
He has performed with internationally and/or locally known performers such as Nicholas Payton, Jamie Breiwick, Devin Drobka, Joey Blake, Steve Grimm and Craig Evans (of Bad Boy), Cecilio Negron Jr., Mitch Shiner, Craig Baumann, and the People Brother's Band.
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Endorsed by House Guitars 2023
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Released album Maple Avenue with Kenn Fox 2022
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Endorsed by Donmoyer Guitars 2022
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Artist in residence at the Jazz Estate 2022
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Division Achievement Award from Berklee Guitar Department 2020
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Released EP Whatever It Is 2019
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Wilson Center for the Arts Guitar Competition (Jazz division finalist) 2018
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Recipient of the KMHS Renaissance Award 2016
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Tommy Award recipient: Outstanding Lead Performer 2016
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National Association of Teachers of Singing competition (1st Place Classical Division, 2nd Place Musical Theater Division) 2015
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Released album And We Watched 2012