Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez is a composer, arranger, multi-saxophonist, bass clarinetist and producer. His musical expression is limitless. He was born in Colombia, South America on September 17, 1967. His family moved to New Jersey in 1971. At the age of 15, Jay began working regularly with Latin Jazz Dance Ensembles, playing Latin standards. His explosive musical style is rhythmically innovative. His distinctive sound ranges from Lester Young to Ornette Coleman.
Having been influenced by Latin music, he flows with ease from rhythm to rhythm from Classical to Jazz.
Even now, Rodriguez keeps an integrity all his own, while commanding that every compositional concept be taken to the edge of his virtuostic technique. His compositions leave you breathless with emotion and a sense of humor. Soul is what keeps this great musician always giving and searching for that sound needed to enlighten the world and take you on a wonderful joy ride from beginning to end.
Jay Rodriguez is the X factor of the Modern American Contemporary art form called Jazz. Funk and soul that subtly become a kaleidoscope of tradition in hard-bop a la Roland Kirk. Hip Hop has a new definition, a new dimension added to American contemporary art by which generations to come will be forever moved.
Rodriguez is currently working with Groove Collective, and simultaneously working on his first solo album featuring Andy McKee (bassist for the Mingus Big Band), Victor Jones (drummer extraordinaire), Eddie Bobe and Rashied Ali (master percussionists), along with legendary bass player Reggie Workman and Australia's young Jazz celebrity Barney McCall (piano and keyboards).
Rodriguez recently arranged, produced and performed with Italy's most innovative Acid Jazz group "Live Tropical Fish." This album features a song composed and performed solely by Jay Rodriguez. He's added the Latin tinge to the stew.
Through the 90's, he worked and produced extensively for Ray Barreto, Bobby Sanabria, Guru, Annie Lenox, Groove Collective, Elvin Jones, Steps Ahead, the Mingus Big Band, and John Faddis. He is Colombia's answer to David Sanchez, Joshua Redman and James Carter. He also worked with Prince and Miles Davis. Jay has played and studied with Sir Roland Hanna, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, and Joe Henderson, to name a few. Jay Rodriguez's broad knowledge and experience of diverse traditions in music will make his appearance on this tour something not to be missed. The colors evoked by him are reminiscent of Impressionist and Cubist art.
Jay studied at Performing Arts, as well as at the Manhattan School of Music, but more importantly he studied life through music and music though life. He is more than a musician, he is a visionary.
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