Alfredo Rodriguez
Alfredo Rodríguez is an internationally acclaimed Cuban jazz pianist who, due to his formal training, is as proficient at playing classical music as he is his chosen genre.
In 2006, he was invited to play the Montreux Jazz Festival. The festival's founder, Claude Nobs, requested he play privately at his home for Quincy Jones. The producer and arranger liked what he heard and wanted to work with the young pianist. It took three years for that to come to pass.
While working with his father in Mexico, Rodríguez decided to relocate to the United States with nothing but his clothes and a suitcase. He was arrested at the border in Laredo, but he was resistant and insisted that he be let in because he was a musician and was going to work with Jones. Remarkably, he eventually convinced them; they let him in and even put him in a cab.
Rodríguez began working wherever he could, eventually finding his way and forming his own trio. His first collaboration with Jones was later in 2009 where, at the latter's request, he collaborated with him, Chinese composer Tan Dun, and songwriter Siedah Garrett to compose the English-version theme song “Better City, Better Life” for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
The young pianist continued to wow critics and club-goers. He toured incessantly, opening for any number of jazz and popular music artists. He played not only Montreux again, but also the Playboy, Detroit, Newport, San Francisco, North Sea, Umbria, and Vienna Jazz Festivals, and in prestigious jazz clubs including Ronnie Scott’s, Yoshi’s, and The Blue Note.
In 2011, Rodríguez signed with Detroit's jazz label Mack Avenue Records. His debut album, "Sounds of Space" -- co-produced by the artist and Jones -- was issued in 2012, winning wide critical acclaim and resulting in more touring opportunities. In the spring of 2014, Rodriguez, his trio, and notable guests issued "The Invasion Parade" (again co-produced with Jones), a collection of originals based on Cuban folk traditions as well as standards from his homeland.
In 2006, he was invited to play the Montreux Jazz Festival. The festival's founder, Claude Nobs, requested he play privately at his home for Quincy Jones. The producer and arranger liked what he heard and wanted to work with the young pianist. It took three years for that to come to pass.
While working with his father in Mexico, Rodríguez decided to relocate to the United States with nothing but his clothes and a suitcase. He was arrested at the border in Laredo, but he was resistant and insisted that he be let in because he was a musician and was going to work with Jones. Remarkably, he eventually convinced them; they let him in and even put him in a cab.
Rodríguez began working wherever he could, eventually finding his way and forming his own trio. His first collaboration with Jones was later in 2009 where, at the latter's request, he collaborated with him, Chinese composer Tan Dun, and songwriter Siedah Garrett to compose the English-version theme song “Better City, Better Life” for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.
The young pianist continued to wow critics and club-goers. He toured incessantly, opening for any number of jazz and popular music artists. He played not only Montreux again, but also the Playboy, Detroit, Newport, San Francisco, North Sea, Umbria, and Vienna Jazz Festivals, and in prestigious jazz clubs including Ronnie Scott’s, Yoshi’s, and The Blue Note.
In 2011, Rodríguez signed with Detroit's jazz label Mack Avenue Records. His debut album, "Sounds of Space" -- co-produced by the artist and Jones -- was issued in 2012, winning wide critical acclaim and resulting in more touring opportunities. In the spring of 2014, Rodriguez, his trio, and notable guests issued "The Invasion Parade" (again co-produced with Jones), a collection of originals based on Cuban folk traditions as well as standards from his homeland.