Alfredo Rodríguez Trio and the Pedrito Martinez Group
The Alfredo Rodríguez Trio
Alfredo Rodríguez, piano
Peter Slavov OR Ricardo Rodriguez, bass
Henry Cole OR Francisco Mela, drums
The Pedrito Martinez Group
Featuring Ariacne Trujillo
Pedrito Martinez, cajón, congas, and vocals
Ariacne Trujillo, piano and vocals
Alvaro Benavides, bass and vocals
Jhair Sala, cowbell, bongos, and vocals
A young pianist of astonishing virtuosity and imagination, Cuban-born Alfredo Rodríguez performs with the open spirit of a culture rooted in dancing. Especially evident during his live performances, Rodríguez imparts a youthful, riveting artistry that fuses Latin music and jazz in surprising and beautiful ways. Quincy Jones discovered his unique talent at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2006, and his performances have evoked comparisons of legendary jazz pianists like Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, and Bill Evans. This double-bill performance also features percussionist and vocalist Pedrito Martinez, who incorporates the folklore of his Cuban roots with religious Yoruba chants and batá melodies into the traditional clave beat of popular Latin jazz. His popularity extends to the musical scene of New York streets, where his devotion to live performance establishes itself at the restaurant Guantanamera, where he plays three times a week.
