finetune artist: Alfredo Rodriguez

b. 1936, Havana, Cuba. Unlike most salsa musicians of his generation, whose musical education was "street schooling", virtuoso pianist, arranger and composer Rodr¡guez comes from a classical music background. When he was five or six years old he sang and played claves. At the time, there were lots of children's talent contests at theatres and on the radio. Alfredo participated in these and won a number of competitions. When he was seven years old, he began taking classical piano lessons with a concert pianist in Havana. He remembers seeing several classical pianists, including Rubinstein and Arrau, in Havana and he dreamed of becoming a classical pianist. Rodr¡guez relocated to New York, USA in 1960. After his arrival, he resumed piano tuition and studied musical theory. He also started listening to Cuban music. Alfredo was influenced by Pedro "Peruch¡n" J£stiz (b. 1913, d. 1977; who worked with Beny Mor, Orquesta Riverside, Julio Gutirrez, Antobal and others, and as a leader), who he regards as "the master of all contemporary salsa pianists", as well as Luis "Lili" Mart¡nez Grinan (who belonged to Flix Chapott¡n's band and was a prolific composer) and Jes£s L¢pez (who was a sideman with Antonio Arca¤o Betancourt). Rodr¡guez describes these keyboard players as "the three pillars of Cuban piano playing of all time". Currently he admires his contemporary compatriots Jes£s "Chucho" Valds (leader of Irakere), Gonzalito Rubalcaba and Emiliano Salvador. Later on, his love for jazz led him to take private courses with Sir Roland Hanna, Albert Dailey and Bill Evans, among others. In the mid-60s he began his professional career in Latin music as a member of the Vicentico Valds band. This was followed by work with Sonora Matancera and the charanga (flute and strings band) of Belisario L¢pez. Alfredo made his recording debut in 1966 on Swing by Conjunto Sensaci¢n. This eight-piece group was led by Rey Roig and featured Pete "El Conde" Rodr¡guez on lead vocals. In 1968, Rodr¡guez, who had been working in the printing trade for a number of years, became one of the rare salsa sidemen to give up his day job. This decision meant he had to suffer a big financial cut and it was a struggle for him to survive. Willie Rosario hired him to perform with his orchestra. Bobby Valent¡n also played bass with the band at the time. "I really loved his playing very much," said Rodr¡guez in 1990. "Bass and piano is like two brothers . . . Bobby Valent¡n is a nice guy. He is fantastic."

Listen to Alfredo Rodriguez at Finetune.

(1996) Cuba Linda

Cuba Linda
Canto De Palo
Drume Negrita
Cuando Vuelva a Tu Lado
Para Francia Flores Y Para Cuba Tambien