Alfredo Rodríguez and Friends: In Concert

Alfredo Rodríguez
Born in Havana, Cuba, Alfredo trained at the famous Manuel Saumell Classical Music Conservatory, then at the Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory, and subsequently at the Instituto Superior de Arte. His lucky break came in 2006 when he was selected as one of twelve pianists from around the world to play at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. In Montreux, Alfredo struck a chord in legendary music producer Quincy Jones who noticed Alfredo’s immense talent and decided to begin working with Alfredo. In January of 2009, Alfredo made the difficult decision to leave his family and country behind and embark on a journey to pursue a career in music in the United States. His touring history includes 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), and literally dozens of others. Rodríguez was nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY Award in the category of Best Arrangement (Instrumental or A Cappella) for the track “Guantanamera,” from his album The Invasion Parade. The pianist has released five rock-solid albums so far. His debut Sounds of Space provided insight into the people, places, and sounds that surrounded and shaped him in his youth. He explores the roots of his motherland on the album The Invasion Parade, co-produced by Quincy Jones, on which Alfredo shows how versatile Cuban music culture is. Then came the beautiful album Tocoroco, which was streamed millions of times on Spotify. Succeeded in 2019 by Duologue, together with Pedrito Martinez. After years of work, Rodríguez has become an international sensation; his riveting artistry is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as it is by his Afro Cuban and jazz roots. Over the past decade, Alfredo grew from a young local Cuban artist to a globally recognized GRAMMY-nominee.

Richard Bona was born and raised in the West African nation of Cameroon, going on to session dates with Joe Zawinul, Regina Carter, and Bob James as well as a two-year stint as musical director for the great Harry Belafonte. He made his debut as a headliner in 1999 with Scenes from My Life, and two years later Reverence came out. In 2003, Bona made his Verve debut with Munia: The Tale, which explored the territories of rock and jazz while keeping his West African influences, and 2005’s Toto Bona Lokua was a joint effort with Lokua Kanza (from the Congo) and Gerald Toto (from Martinique). In 2006, Tiki, featuring guest artists like John Legend and Djavan, was released. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi.

Tony Succar was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Miami, Florida, Succar is grateful to have come from a family of musicians. It was that early encounter with music of such influence that it would mark the foundation and preparation of him for what was to come. His musical diversity is well known in the industry, having worked with an impressive array of talented artists, including Tito Nieves, India, Jon Secada, Marc Anthony, Sheila E., Arturo Sandoval, Judith Hill, and Obie Bermudez, among others. A two-time Latin Grammys winner, he is an artist-producer, composer, and arranger whose talents stem from a passion for music given from an early age.

Pedrito Martínez was born in Havana, Cuba, Cuba, Sept 12, 1973 where he began his musical career at the age of 11 with a deep foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions. Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Paquito D’Rivera, Chucho Valdez, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, Elton John, James Taylor and Sting, and has contributed to well over 100 albums. Pedrito was a founding member of the Afro-Cuban/Afro-Beat band, Yerba Buena, with which he recorded two albums and toured the world in the mid-to late-90’s. His career as a leader began in 2008 with the formation in NYC of The Pedrito Martínez Group. The group’s first album was nominated in 2013, for a Grammy, and was among NPR’s Favorite Albums of the Year. Habana Dreams, their second album, released in 2016, included, Ruben Blades, Isaac Delgado, Wynton Marsalis, Angelique Kidjo. In February of 2019, Pedrito and Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, released Duologue with Quincy Jones as Executive Producer. Eric Clapton and Pedrito teamed up in July 2019 to record a newly arranged version of Clapton’s song, My Father’s Eyes, for a Martínez album set for release in early 2021. On September 22, of that year Pedrito and Clapton performed the song together at Clapton’s, Crossroads Guitar Festival in Dallas, Texas.

Munir Hossn was born in November 24,1981 in Brazil, his mix between Africans, Italians, Middle East, and Brazilians indigenous people make him one of the most original and authentic artists of his country and the world. Producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. Just by listening Munir Hossn’s compositions or arrangements we can imagine how wide and great his journey was through different countries and cultures. Mr Hossn has also collaborated, produced, and shared projects with artists like Joe Zawinul Syndicate, Didier Lockwood, Paco Sery, Quincy Jones and The Global Gumbo All Stars feat. Alfredo Rodriguez, Hermeto Pascoal, Roberto Mendes, Jorge Pardo, and many more.

Michael Olivera was born in Santa Clara (Cuba), he has developed a long and intense professional career. Olivera has played with renowned artists and producers such as Quincy Jones, Alfredo Rodriguez “Tocororo” (co-arranger), Paquito de Rivera, Chano Dominguez, Rick Wakeman, Javier Colina, Sting, Tomatito, Munir Hossn, Yonathan Avishai, Síntesis, among others. Closely linked to the jazz scene, is one of the most important drummers on the current music scene, with more than 50 records recorded and hundreds of projects with the who has participated in such important festivals as Jazz a Vienne, Marciac, North Sea Jazz, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Fest, Blue Note NY, Blue Note Tokio, Jakarta Jazz Festival, Warsaw Jazz Festival, Madrid Jazz Festival, Barcelona Jazz Festival among others.

Gilmar Gomes is a world-renowned Brazilian percussionist, singer-songwriter, international recording artist, producer and visual artist, and  has been a member of Enrique Iglesias’ band since 2001. He has also toured and recorded with a wide range of artists including Harry Belafonte, Celine Dion, Shakira, Rihanna and Gilberto Gil — just to name a few!

Jorge Glem is an award winning cuatro player, mandolinist and musical producer, and  is without a doubt one of Venezuela’s musical treasures. Born in Cumaná, Venezuela, Glem, who currently resides in New York City, has set out with a clear and driven purpose of presenting the Venezuelan cuatro as a universal instrument. His amazing talent and purpose have allowed him to share the stage with renown worldwide figures such as Paquito D’Rivera, Jordan Rudess, Rubén Blades, Carlos Vives, Calle 13, Natalia Lafoucarde, Guaco, Desorden Público, Ensamble Gurrufío, Gualberto Ibarreto, Etienne Charles and many other important music personalities, accomplishing the fuse of this traditional instrument in genres such as jazz, salsa, bluegrass, rock, and pop.