Omar Gittens

Get to know Omar... 

Over the past thirteen plus years, Omar has performed as a freelance drummer for various musical artists in southern Ontario area (Barrie, Toronto, Ottawa), and Boston, Massachusetts (U.S.A). In Barrie, he has shared the stage with jazz artists like guitarist Joe Huron, saxophonist Dennis McAndrew, saxophonist/pianist/vocalist Mark Hathaway, bassists Stuart Steinhart and Kene Hyatt, and Pianists Mike Lewis and Amanda MacLeod. He has previously recorded with jazz group "Quintessential Boys', whose 2007 album is produced by Canadian Juno winning pianist Eddie Bullen. Omar had the honour of performing with pianist Quincy Bullen for the late Dr. Oscar Peterson at the 2006 African Canadian Achievement Awards (ACAA). It was that night that Dr. Peterson received a ACAA Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 2013, Omar regularly gigs with his own jazz Trio and Quartet at multiple corporate events for the governments of Barbados and Jamaica in Toronto. He has performed as the live drummer for Canadian country pop artist Tori Hathaway and Ontario's Barrie-based Top 40 band 'Bombshell'. 

Omar began post-secondary studies in Music (Jazz Performance) at York University. Mentors of Omar's during his time there between 2007 and 2009 include Saxophonist Kelly Jefferson, Drummer Barry Romberg, Guitarist Mike Cado, and Bassist Al Henderson. 

Omar was the recipient of the Berklee Canada Scholarship and Berklee International Grant and graduated on the Dean's List during his time at Berklee College of Music. He was also the recipient of the Douglas Menzie Phillips Jazz Scholarship during his time as a Music Department student at York University. In 2012, Omar graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree, on the Dean's List (Cum Laude). He majored in Professional Music, with concentration courses in Songwriting and Contemporary Writing & Production. Since June of 2013, Omar continues to teach private beginner and intermediate drum set students at Music Pro Education Centre in Barrie, Ontario. Since June of 2015, Omar received his second undergraduate degree in Consecutive Teacher Education from York University, and is now a certified Ontario occasional music teacher, working in Toronto.