Ronnie Gardiner
Jazz musician. Brain health pioneer. The man behind the method.
The Founder
Ronnie Gardiner is a successful jazz drummer who has performed with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Carter and Dexter Gordon. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he participated in recording over 85 CDs and played alongside many of the most prominent Swedish and internationally renowned jazz musicians.
In 1998 he established a scholarship in recognition of young jazz talent in Sweden. On 16 May 2015, Ronnie Gardiner was awarded the Swedish Mensa Award, presented annually to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to society.
Regardless of his age, Ronnie travels all over the world to train new RGM practitioners, give presentations and support the scientific research on his method. And for those interested in jazz: Ronnie Gardiner also performs regularly as a drummer in Stockholm.
"The method was born on the day that I had planned to die."
Ronnie Gardiner, Founder
From personal crisis to global method
The idea for RGM was born on March 27, 1980, in San Augustine, Gran Canaria, during a particularly challenging period in Ronnie's life. A personal tragedy gave him the impetus to look for a way to use his musical skills and talent to help other people.
The concept of RGM, which combines drumming with physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, took approximately six years to develop. Ronnie spent this time studying the human brain and exploring how drumming could be a useful tool in helping individuals improve their lives.
It took him 13 years in total — during which he conducted many investigations and conversations with experts in neuroscience — to develop his unique method.
Encouragement from the greatest
On September 24, 1984, Ronnie travelled to Los Angeles, California, where he met Dr. Roger W. Sperry, the recipient of the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1981, and Dr. Betty Edwards, the author of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain." Both encouraged Ronnie to continue developing his method.
Ronnie's original title for his method was "Coordinated Rhythms for Mind and Body Balance Awareness." He had to rewrite the entire concept to help stroke patients — and the result was what is now known as the Ronnie Gardiner Method.
The first RGM session
On 3 February 1993, Ronnie was invited by the Stockholm Stroke Association (Stockholms Läns Stroke Föreningen) to try his method — then known as the Ronnie Gardiner Rhythm Therapy Method — with stroke patients. Originally designed for children, the method was adapted to help stroke patients.
Ronnie taught four large groups for two twelve-week periods each year from 1993 to 1999. During this time, Ronnie's stroke patients taught him how to teach and challenged him to create new innovative exercises. Their contribution was invaluable to the development of what is now known as the Ronnie Gardiner Method.
"Without these patients, RGM would not be spreading around the world as it is today." — Ronnie Gardiner
"It has now been over 40 years since the birth of the method. Today, RGM is helping individuals all over the world improve their lives."
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