Alfredo Rodríguez (pianist born 1985)
| Alfredo Rodríguez | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alfredo Rodríguez |
| Born |
October 7, 1985 Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Jazz, classical |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Years active | 2006 – present |
| Website |
www |
Alfredo Rodríguez (born October 7, 1985) is a Cuban composer and jazz pianist. He was trained at Manuel Saumell Conservatory, then at the Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory as well as the Instituto Superior de Arte.
Life
In 2006, Alfredo was selected as one of the twelve pianists from around the world to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Music Producer Quincy Jones noticed Alfredo at the Jazz Festival and began working with him. In 2009, Alfredo left his family and country and began his pursuit of a career in music in the United States.
Alfredo has performed at the Playboy Jazz Festival, SXSWMusic Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Jazz Roots Performing Arts Center Concert Series, XVI International Open Air Festival (Poland), Jazz a Vienne Festival (France), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Mawazine Festival(Morocco), Mundo Latino Festival (Brazil), Shanghai International Film Festival (China), Shanghai Tourist Festival (China), as well as many other performances. Alfredo has also been chosen by various brands such as Mercedes Benz and Louis Vuitton to perform at corporate functions and product launches. During this period of time, Alfredo has shared stages with jazz artists such as Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Patti Austin, James Ingram, McCoy Tyner, Esperanza Spalding, Richard Bona, and Lionel Loueke.
One of Alfredo's most well-known compositions was accomplished through collaboration with Quincy Jones, Tan Dun, and Siedah Garrett; the anthem "Better City, Better Life" was selected as the official theme song of the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Sounds of Space, Alfredo's debut album, produced by Quincy Jones and himself, was released on Qwest/Mack Avenue Records in 2012. Alfredo is currently recording his second album.
Influences and playing style
A 2009 reviewer suggested that Rodriguez was "more a melding of Bill Evans, Kenny Werner, Fred Hersch, even touches of Thelonious Monk in conception if not execution, [with] hints here and there of his Cuban heritage".[1]
Another critic in the same year wrote that, "In one tune, his crisp bebop lines recalled Bill Evans' early playing on the George Russell mid-fifties Jazz Workshop album. Other pieces suggested the melodic inventiveness of Keith Jarrett. And still others displayed a nascent style of his own, contrasting angular, leaping passages and thick harmonic clusters with sudden, unexpected arcs of lyricism".[2]
Studio Albums
| Titles | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds of Space | 2012 | Mack Avenue Records |
| The Invasion Parade | 2014 | Mack Avenue Records |
| Tocororo | 2016 | Mack Avenue Records |
References
- ↑ "30th Detroit International Jazz Festival Celebrates Family". Jazz Police. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ↑ "Live Jazz: Alfredo Rodriguez at Vibrato Grill Jazz…etc.". International Review of Music. Retrieved 2011-07-01.