Playboy Jazz Festival

There are quite a few reviews of Alfredo’s performance on Sunday that have appeared on the web over the past couple of days, but Alfredo was particularly humbled by the words of Don Heckman, a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times. Heckman, on his blog wrote:

“Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez, discovered by Quincy Jones, is an astonishing talent. At 23, he revealed the same sort of technical virtuosity that has been present in other jazz pianists trained within the arts structures of socialist societies. But what he has done with that technique is uniquely his own. Performing a set of mostly original material, he called up images of a youthful Art Tatum, leavened with an off-center, Thelonious Monk point of view, spiced with the surging rhythmic passions of his homeland. Rodriguez’s version of “Body and Soul” can only be described as memorable – a brilliant rediscovery of a piece that seemed, long ago, to have given up all its riches.”

Thank You

“It was an absolute honor to play at The Playboy Jazz Festival tonight-one of the most important and prestigious jazz festivals in the country. Thank you again to Darlene Chan, Hugh Hefner, Quincy Jones, Nathan East and Francisco Mela.”

For those of you who missed tonight’s performance, make sure to check out Alfredo at Vibrato Grill Jazz here in Los Angeles, on August 12^th. Check out the details on Alfredo’s show page.

Alfredo featured in LA Times, La Opinion, Gibson News

This Sunday, Alfredo will make his debut public performance since defecting from Cuba less than 5 months ago at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the  31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival. The show starts at 2pm, and Alfredo’s set will begin at 3pm — immediately preceding one of his most important mentors and influencers — Wayne Shorter.  We’re thrilled  to share that The Los Angeles Times, La Opinion and Gibson News have reported on Alfredo and his  performance this Sunday. Below are some excerpts from what the articles said about Alfredo.

In the June 9th 2009 issue of La Opinion, Alfredo got a pretty special testimonial in the story titled, “Padrino para debut-Alfredo Rodríguez llega al Playboy Jazz festival bajo ala de Quincy Jones” (by Martha Sarabia of La Opinion) :

“I saw (Alfredo Rodriguez) for the first time in Switzerland when he was 20 years old, three years ago. I couldn’t believe he was playing as well as he was. And you never forget when somebody plays that well. He is very special and I do not say that easily because been I have been surrounded by the best musicians in the world my entire life and he is one of the best.”  — Quincy Jones

On June 8th 2009, in the article titled, “Cuban Piano Prodigy Takes U.S. by Storm,” Gabriel J. Hernandez of Gibson News reported:

“Cuban piano sensation Alfredo Rodriguez had a feeling he could find success playing music in the United States. He just didn’t think it would happen so fast.”

In the  article, “Playboy Jazz Festival plays to wide audience,” in the June 10th 2009 issue of The Los Angeles Times, writer Christ Barton noted:

Part of the fun of a festival like Playboy is a sense of discovery, and amid all the familiar faces on this weekend’s bill is Alfredo Rodríguez, a 23-year-old Cuban pianist who defected in January and will make his U.S. festival debut Sunday. Discovered by über-producer Quincy Jones at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in 2006, Rodríguez wowed a SXSW crowd with a brief performance earlier this year…Rodríguez feels honored to be playing what he views as one of the biggest, most important jazz festivals in the country. When asked who he’s most looking forward to seeing, Rodríguez doesn’t hesitate.

Alfredo in the News

Today, we’re very excited to announce that Reuters picked up an article on Alfredo. In the article by Gail Mitchell of Billboard, Alfredo talks about his partnership with Quincy, his musical roots and his upcoming performance at the 31st Playboy Jazz Festival. After 5 months of living in the States, Alfredo has had the special opportunity of developing his musical career with Quincy Jones.  The Reuters article mentions:

“Rodriguez will appear June 14 at the Playboy festival at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, joined by Nathan East on bass and fellow Cuban Francisco Mela on drums. Between recording and negotiating a label deal for his debut album, Rodriguez is slated to perform at other jazz festivals this summer, including Monterey and Newport.”

To view the article, click here.

Alfredo Performs at AMPAS Tribute to The Bergmans

Alfredo had the honor of performing with Patti Austin at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Tribute to Alan and Marilyn Bergman at the Samuel Goldwin Theatre, hosted by Quincy Jones. Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman have developed a vast an prolific career in the music industry as songwriters, lyricists, composers and authors. The Bergmans have written many famous songs including “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?“, “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” and “Windmills of Your Mind.” Alfredo had the honor of being introduced by Quincy Jones as he accompanied the legendary singer, Patti Austin. The duo performed a piece from The Bergmans collection of work, titled, “The Girl Who Used To Be Me.”