Rafael Rosa
Rafael has been driving himself ever since picking up the guitar at age 15 in his home Puerto Rico. Primarily self-taught and learning music by ear, it was a matter of time before formal education came into effect five years later at the Inter-American University.
Rafael completed a BA Degree in Popular Music as it allowed the continuation of studying with the local greats: Ricardo Pons, Fernando Mattina, Ángel David Mattos, Aldemar Valentín, Francisco Serrano, Ismael Rodriguez Andrew Lazaro, Pedro Rivera Toledo, Hector Matos, L. Raúl Romero and Miguel Cubano. Under this collaboration of educators an extensive arsenal of Jazz, Funk, Latin, Rock, and Pop Music was absorbed.
During these first years of college life Rafael performed weekly with his group 4 Corners, which featured Jonathan Suazo, Leonardo Osuna, and Dan Martinez. Rafael also performed with the likes of Edmar Colón, Ramón Vázquez, Eric Figueroa, as well as appearing in several jazz festivals and getting emphatically reviewed for his playing on recordings with bassist Alex “Apolo” Ayala, as well as a nomination from ACAM (Asociación de Compositores y Autores Musicales) for Best Jazz Album with Felipe Fournier and his group {menos es más}. At the age of 25 Rafael graduated with honors and was given the opportunity to teach at his alma mater.
In the fall of 2011 Rafael was accepted to NYU’s Steinhardt School of Music Graduate Degree Program in Jazz Performance as well as given an opportunity to be part of the music faculty. While in NY, he has had the chance to study with legendary jazz artists: Kenny Werner, Bruce Arnold, Miguel Zenón, Tony Moreno, Jean Michel Pilc, Dave Pietro, Brad Shepik, Ralph Alessi, Rich Shemaria, Adriano Santos, Stefon Harris, Alan Ferber, John Benítez, John Scofield, Wayne Krantz and Peter Bernstein. He has had a chance to perform with his own group, local bands like Night Of The Living Funk at the legendary rock venue The Bitter End, with performances in venues The Blue Note Jazz Club, and Tutuma Social Club, SOMETHIN’ Jazz Club, DROM, Shrine World Music Venue and more.
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“Rafael has a beautiful sound, heart, ideas, sensibility and will to develop his language and expand his musical world. I have no doubt he is going to surprise us and I look forward to hearing more of his thrilling music.” – Jean Michel Pilc, 2013 Guggenheim Fellowship Award Winner Master Pianist/Composer/Educator/Author
“Rafael is a musician with a huge heart
Primary Instrument
Guitar
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
New York University, New York, NY Master of Music in Jazz Guitar Performance, Dec. 2013 GPA: 3.8 Inter-American University, San Juan, PR Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music, May 2010 GPA: 3.65 $60/hour Available Everyday of the week NYC/Puerto Rico Skype Lessons Available as well
Clinic/Workshop Information
Clinics on Latin/Afro Rican Rhythms and Applications to the Guitar