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Ricky Rodriguez

Ricardo “Ricky” Rodríguez was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he also started his music studies. He received his Bachelor of Music in Classical Bass performance under the tutelage of professors Federico Silva and Jose García at the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico in 2004. Having mastered classical music, Ricky moved to New York City to experiment and increase his musical development in different musical style: Jazz. He took private lessons with two of his bass heroes, Mr. Larry Grenadier and Mr. Scott Colley. Within a year, Ricky was performing with internationally distinguished musicians such as: David Sánchez Quartet, Branford Marsalis, Michele Rosewoman, Miguel Zenón Quartet, Adam Rogers, Lionel Loueke, Clarence Penn, Ignacio Berroa Quartet, Dave Samuel, Dave Schnitter, Janis Siegel, Joe Locked, Marlon Simon and the Nagual Spirit, Pedrito Martínez, Mayra Casales, the Rodríguez Brothers, Osmany Paredes Quartet, Papo Vázquez and Pirates Troubadours, Donny McCaslin trio, Luis Bonilla and Trombonilla, Paoli Mejias, Ricardo Pons and Causa Común , The Pleneros de la 21, The Samuel Torres Band , Cristos Rafalides and the Manhattan Vibes, Ximo Tebar and the four lights and the Chico O' Farril Afro-Cuban Big Band and The Arturro O' Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra , Michel Camilo's trio and many others.

Since then, Ricky has performed with some of the giants in Latin Jazz today. These included performances with legendary jazz icons such as: Ray Barretto, Endel Dueño, Giovanni Hidalgo, Jerry González, Chuchito Valdéz, Tony Lujan, Erik Figueroa trio, Mandy Visoso and his orchestra, as well as memorable performances with masters such as: Branford Marsalis, Danilo Pérez, David Sánchez, and Ignacio Berroa.

In 2006, Ricky represented the United States alongside 150 groups that participated in a world tour known as "The Jazz Ambassadors," as part of the 2006 Jazz at Lincoln Center American Music Abroad “The Rhythm Road Program.” 

Ricky has performed around the world in the most important Jazz Festivals in France, Italy, Russia, Africa, London, Almaty, Israel, South America, Turkey, Budapest and United States. He is currently touring and working with Michel Camilo and Trío Latino, David Sánchez Group, Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Carolina Calvache Group, Helen Sung Band, The Saturday Night Live Band, The Global Arts Cultural Literacy & Heritage from Symphony Space and his own group. Also his new solo album, Ricky Rodríguez Group "Looking Beyond" was released June 15th, 2016 under Destiny Record Label. 


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Album Review

Elio Villafranca: Cinque

Read "Cinque" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo


Questo doppio CD è dedicato alla memoria di Joseph Cinque, che nel 1839 capeggiò la rivolta degli schiavi africani imbarcati sulla nave Amistad con destinazione Cuba e le sue piantagioni di zucchero. È un progetto ambizioso sulla diaspora africana in cui la narrazione vocale delle vicende storiche ben si combina ad un sontuoso apparato musicale, articolato in una suite di cinque movimenti. A fare da trait d'union, l'ancestrale retroterra ritmico della regione congolese, su cui vengono di volta in volta ...

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" When I think of Ricky Rodriguez, the words passion, discipline and humility come to my mind. Over the last several years he has immersed himself in every aspect of his art, as an accompanist, soloist and composer. His passionate love for music has fueled his rigorous discipline, but it has also given him a deep humility which makes him truly a servant of the music. The finely crafted compositions here, beautiful executed by a stellar band, mark an auspicious beginning to the catalogue of a very special musician " 

"When I think of Ricky Rodriguez, the words passion, discipline and humility come to my mind. Over the last several years he has immersed himself in every aspect of his art, as an accompanist, soloist and composer. His passionate love for music has fueled his rigorous discipline, but it has also given him a deep humility which makes him truly a servant of the music. The finely crafted compositions here, beautiful executed by a stellar band, mark an auspicious beginning to the catalogue of a very special musician." —Joe Locke

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Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Ricano

Ropeadope
2023

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Cinque

ArtistShare
2018

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Cinque + Narration 2 (Part 1)

From: Cinque
By Ricky Rodriguez

Videos

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