Before moving to Canada from the US in 1974, Pat LaBarbera toured and recorded with the Buddy Rich Big Band, of which he was a member from 1967 to 1974. During that time he played in every major city in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

Pat has performed on television shows such as Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, and Mike Douglas, and with many show business personalities such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ella Fitzgerald.

Pat has performed and recorded consistently with Elvin Jones since 1975, playing major jazz festivals around the world. He has performed with other jazz artists such as Chick Corea, Michael Brecker, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Woody Shaw, and McCoy Tyner.