Alfredo Rodríguez

Alfredo Rodríguez (25 October 1936 – 3 October 2005) His death in 2005 occurred shortly after he had finished recording a collaboration album with Africando.

Life and career Early years Alfredo Rodríguez was born in Vedado, Havana, on 25 October 1936. he did not begin his career as a musician until after he had moved to Manhattan in 1960. He initially worked as a PR officer for a printing company. In 1961, Arsenio Rodríguez, one of Cuba's most popular musicians, advised him to pursue a career in music. Unlike the other members of the band, such as singer Pete "El Conde" Rodríguez, Alfredo refused to join Johnny Pacheco's band after the break-up of the group in 1966. The album was nominated for two Grammy Awards. In the early 2000s, he formed his own group called Acerekó and recorded the album Cuban Jazz, featuring Tata Güines, Changuito, Bobby Carcassés and Joel Hierrezuelo. His last project was the Africando album Ketukuba, released in 2006. He gave his last concert in August 2005 in Contis, France.

A tribute concert was held in Paris on 20 March 2006. Pianist Ernán Lopez-Nussa flew over from Havana to play on the show, which was presented by Joel Hierrezuelo.

A compilation of unreleased recordings, Oye Afra, was released posthumously in 2007.

Style With regards to his Afro-Cuban style of piano playing, Rodríguez is considered a disciple of Peruchín, who was a good friend of his. He also was a fan of Lilí Martínez, who played for Arsenio Rodríguez. Both Peruchín and Lilí Martínez were influenced by classical pianists such as Chopin, and so was Rodríguez, whose music owes much to classical composers such as Debussy and Rachmaninoff.

Discography 1983: Sonido sólido 1985: Monsieur oh la la 1991: Cuba-New York-Paris (live) 1993: Para Yoya 1997: Cuba linda 2002: Cuban Jazz 2007: Oye Afra (live, recorded 1998–2005) 2014: On Tour in Europe (live, recorded 1990–91)