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Bob Rodriguez

Critically acclaimed pianist Bob Rodriguez is one of the most distinctively imaginative musicians in contemporary Jazz today. Possessing a refined virtuoso technique, extraordinary harmonic sensibility and an incomparable approach to his instrument that melds aspects of European classical and Latin music with modern Jazz, Rodriguez's performances and recordings of his own compositions and interpretations of standard material have distinguished him as a truly original pianist with his own tale to tell.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Rodriguez began studying classical piano as a child. At 15, after hearing Teddy Wilson on the radio, he was inspired to write an original blues, revealing a nascent aptitude for composition and prompting his teacher to send him to his first Jazz instructor, Hank Kahout, an expert on Wilson and Art Tatum, who was a stride piano specialist. Next, he studied privately with Bill Gidney, a bebop pianist who had accompanied Charlie Parker. Rodriguez studied harmony formally at the Modern Music School of Cleveland with Phil Rizzo (a former Stan Kenton arranger) and twelve tone composition at Baldwin Wallace University. Later, he attended Akron University, where he spent time analyzing modern classical techniques under the tutelage of Pat Pace, who had written arrangements for Miles Davis.

Rodriguez was an active player on the Cleveland Jazz circuit throughout most of his twenties, but by the mid eighties he had an opportunity to move to Houston and took it. There he played jazz and latin gigs with his trio, occasionally working with visiting luminaries such as Kenny Wheeler, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Billy Hart, Muhal Richard Abrams, Joe Farrell, Billy Drews and others. He was invited to teach Jazz piano at the prestigious Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and in 1988 he met modern Jazz vocalist Tina Marsh, who asked him to be the pianist and composer-in-residence for her forward looking fourteen piece big band, the Creative Opportunity Orchestra. Rodriguez has been recording with Tina and her ensemble since the late 80's. He's also recorded with Tina and his trio in 1997 on their co-led disc 'Out Of Time'.

In 1989 Rodriguez moved to the New York area to study with pianist Richie Beirach, the final step on his road to developing a personal style built on very modern harmony with an exceptionally melodic approach. He performed his music with the BMI advanced composers workshop and in 1994 recorded his first date as leader, "Mist", now available as an MP3 Digital Download from Art of Life Records. An album of rare beauty, it featured Rodriguez's own compositions as well as pieces by Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, two of his primary influences. In 1998 he recorded a solo CD, "Reinventions" (available as an MP3 Digital Download from Art of Life Records), that includes two Chopin Preludes that he had arranged for 4 hands (with classical pianist Cathy Campbell). Since his arrival in the Jazz capitol of the world Rodriguez has performed at at the Blue Note, Birdland, Iridium, Sweet Rhythm, Cornelia Street Cafe, Trumpets, Cecil's and many others in the city. He played solo concerts at Gracie Mansion and various venues in the tri-state area and broadcast performances on NPR in Texas, Maine and New York.

Bob Rodriguez: Portraits

Read "Portraits" reviewed by Elliott Simon

by Elliott Simon
April 1, 2009

There are times when there's the urge to put on some solo piano music, turn down the lights and experience the intimacy that no other instrument can so perfectly create. And while the pensive Portraits that Bob Rodriguez paints on this solo effort are done up in somber tones there is an immeasurable beauty to these dusky renderings. Recorded almost 15 years ago, Rodriguez impresses with both harmonic and melodic mastery. But it is the ways in which these two ...

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Album Review

Bob Rodriguez: Portraits

Read "Portraits" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 7, 2009

Recorded in 1994 and released in 2009, New York area pianist Bob Rodriguez doesn't delve into an existential framework splattered with hidden meanings. Simply stated, the album title intimates the artist's personalized musical portraitures equally divided between standards and originals.

The pianist communicates great depth amid soul-stirring choruses and animated right hand leads. Rodriguez is a poet via his fusion of lush themes with probing storylines, all enamored by his gentle touch and acute penchant for modulating numerous ...

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Album Review

Bob Rodriguez: Corridor

Read "Corridor" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
October 4, 2005

On this dreamy trio session, pianist Bob Rodriguez interprets a set of originals and several standards. His cascading keyboard melodies and gently flowing snippets of poetic charm give the listener a quiet storm of relaxed pleasure. The acoustic setting provides a natural texture, while each improvised phrase overlaps like the wind and the rain outside.

Opening the session, “Corridor" gives the impression of a long walkway that leads to mixed pleasures. In the other rooms, we find Ellington, ...

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Album Review

Bob Rodriguez: Corridor

by John Kelman
August 3, 2005

It's a mystery why some artists reach positions of prominence and others don't. Sometimes it's more about being in the right place at the right time than specific musical criteria like aptitude, creativity, and a distinctive personal approach. Since moving to New York in '88, pianist Bob Rodriguez has managed to create a niche through performing, as well as teaching at a variety of notable schools like Julliard. More often than not, however, he finds himself visiting Austin, Texas, where ...

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Recording

Bob Rodriguez's "Portraits" on Art of Life Records (CD & MP3 Download Release)

Source: All About Jazz
February 21, 2009

Following the 2008 release of the duo recording, Ripples (Art of Life AL1034), with guitarist Scott Sherwood, Portraits is Bob Rodriguez's fourth release as a leader and finds him in a solo piano setting. Bob performs his unique solo piano arrangements of Bill Evans “Waltz for Debby", Rodgers & Hart's “Spring Is Here", Kern & Hammerstein's “All the Things You Are" and Thelonious Monk's “'Round Midnight" in addition to five of his own compositions. Portraits was recorded on July 16, ...
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Recording

Scott Sherwood & Bob Rodriguez's "Ripples" CD & MP3 Digital Download Release

Source: All About Jazz
September 5, 2008

Art of Life Records is pleased to welcome guitarist Scott Sherwood and pianist Bob Rodriguez to its roster of recording artists. For their debut release on Art of Life Records, Scott and Bob have composed seven original compositions of guitar and piano duets recorded and mixed by Kent Heckman at Red Rock Recording in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania on August 30th and 31st, 2007. All tracks have been professionally mastered using 24-bit digital technology. Jazz guitarist Scott Sherwood has been praised by ...
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Performance / Tour

Bob Rodriguez Trio at Trumpets Sunday October 16, 7:30-11:30

Source: All About Jazz
September 30, 2005

September 30, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] Bob Rodriguez Trio at Trumpets 6 Depot Square Montclair, New Jersey 07042 973-744-2600 Sunday October 16, 7:30-11:30 $10.00 music charge. Featuring Bob Rodriguez-piano Mike Richmond-bass Ron Glick-drums Perfroming music from his new CD Bob Rodriguez Corridor Cre-Op Muse 011 Street Date: August 1, 2005 Bob Rodriguez-piano, Mike Richmond-bass, Eliot Zigmund-drums Corridor, the newest release by pianist Bob Rodriguez, takes listeners on an imaginative journey to a ...
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…"a combination of harmonics and delicate melodies both strikingly beautiful and hauntingly ethereal.” Elliot Simon-AllAboutJazz-New York, April 2009. Recommended New Release “Portraits” April 2009 Andrey Henkin, Editorial Director, AllAboutJazz-New York. "What distinguishes Rodriguez from countless other jazz pianists covering the same material is a preference for pulling the songs into new terrain". - Cadence Magazine "Rodriguez' versatility spans the languid and the stormy; the trio evokes the Bill Evans-Scott LaFaro-Paul Motion group... impressionistic bop to romping post bop..." - Midwest Jazz Magazine 'In addition to a clear classical delicacy in Rodriguez's stylistic touch, there is an underlying strength within the twists and turns of his voicings and the textures he develops with bassist Mike Richmond and drummer Eliot Zigmund. The end product is an intriguing trio sound that is, largely, unlike anything on the scene.' **** Will Smith, Down Beat Magazine 'With 'Corridor' Bob Rodriguez takes his place among such lyrical keyboard artists as Keith Jarrett, Richie Beirach, Fred Hersch and Brad Mehldau.' Berman Jazz Music Foundation/Tom Ineck ***(*) Mist, "A rewarding and idiosyncratic addition to the piano-trio literature... Rodriguez has a lovely touch ..." - The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD Praise for Bob Rodriguez and Portraits - Pianist 'Bob Rodriguez is that rara avis, even in jazz, a constantly interesting improviser. “When playing in a solo situation,” he says, “you are committed after the first note. You are ‘in the music’ and you just go with it.” Rodriguez has a kind of inner GPS that plots his musical ventures unerringly. His new release, the solo album Portraits, beautifully refashions the harmonics of well-known ballads and originals, including a nod to one of his favorite l9th composer-improvisers, Frederic Chopin (“Frederico”). No mere technocrat of the music, Rodriguez, balances a delicacy of touch with a passionate sense of discovery. Bob Rodriguez is a musician’s musician, and a listener’s delight'. by Linda Dahl Linda Dahl is the author of a number of acclaimed books about jazz, including Haunted Heart and Morning Glory. Most recently, she wrote about the jazz pianists Hazel Scott and Dorothy Donegan for a forthcoming collection by Harvard University Press.

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

I have given Master Classes in Jazz Piano and improvisation at Julliard, and in schools throughout the New York area. Wheaton College in Norton Mass., University of Texas, and many other colleges and high schools as part of a tour. I also teach online, where a pianist can either send me a piece that they are working via an email attachment, or by mail . The student states on what their goals are and then I make comments on their interpretation. I then play the same piece using their ideas and goals as my basis for an arrangement. I send the student either by email or mail, the music and recording of my arrangement of their piece plus an explanation of what I have done. Students have enjoyed this approach because they can keep an extensive file on lessons and track of their progress. I also teach via Skype. For more information, please visit my website:www.bobrodriguez.com