Jazz Articles about Roberto Juan Rodriguez

Roberto Juan Rodriguez/Septeto Rodriguez: Baila! Gitano Baila!

by John Kelman
November 4, 2004

The pervasiveness of the Jewish music tradition is a remarkable thing, something that has only become known to a larger public in recent years through John Zorn's tireless efforts to expand the boundaries of the music and show its truly international flavour. With his own Masada projects, Tzadik label, and Radical Jewish Culture imprint, he has demonstrated that not only is the music alive and evolving, but it can incorporate musical influences from places as dissimilar as the streets of ...

Roberto Juan Rodriguez: Baila! Gitano Baila!

by David French
October 14, 2004

The title of drummer/composer Roberto Juan Rodriguez's second CD on John Zorn's Tzadik label means “Dance! Gypsy Dance!", an invocation that conjures the swirling, mysterious and exuberant music that Septeto Rodriguez dishes up. As on his first CD, Rodriguez creates a new jazz that blends the rhythms of Cuba with the minor-key flavor of traditional Jewish melodies.

Rodriguez has performed with many big names, including Paul Simon and Gloria Estefan, but he seems happiest mixing it up with ...