By Paula Edelstein

Fans of Gabriel Rodriguez will learn to expect the unexpected. "THE BEGINNING" may be the title of his debut release on Pina Jazz, but the eight songs composed by Gabriel is no "beginner" collection. Gabriel Rodriguez plays bass guitar and piccolo on THE BEGINNING with the precision and adeptness of a seasoned musician. On his first production, the young bassist who intimately knows both worlds of the Latin jazz scene: its Afro Carribean roots and the classical standards of jazz, provides a less than complex feeling to the unique flavor of Latin jazz. Rodriguez pits his funky arrangements against a backdrop of exciting percussive elements and spiritual completeness. He not only fuses the classical rules of jazz with aggressive harmonies and other musical techniques, but Rodriguez’s unique style encompasses many years of study at the InterAmerican University and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and respectable tutelage under the late Dick Grove.

With special guests Alein Rodriguez and Hector Papo Lugo on piano, Francisco Rosario on drums, David Ortiz on congas, Raul Maldonado on bongos, Miguel Zenon, William Morell and Nestor Toro on alto sax and Anthony Carrillo on percussion, THE BEGINNING is portentous of what is ahead for his fans and new audiences of the talented bassist. In an interview for ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM, we caught up with Gabriel for a few questions about his debut release on Pina Jazz.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Hello, Gabriel. We want to express our thanks for agreeing to speak to us here at All About Jazz.com and want to introduce you to many new fans around the globe.

Gabriel Rodriguez: You’re welcome and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to get in contact with so many people who follow All About Jazz.com.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Let’s discuss the concept for THE BEGINNING and the selection of the personnel. Who are some of your earliest musical influences?

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: I must say that my earliest influences were from Jaco Pastorious, my friend John Patitucci and Ron Carter among those I distinguish as precursors of what all bassists - including me - are doing today. Of course, I tailored these influences to meet my own Latin roots inspired by Latin bassists such as Eddie "Guagua" Rivera and Andy Gonzalez. In other words, my musicianship emerges from the influences gathered as a result of a lot of listening and analysis from all ventures of jazz and its different manifestations.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: The sounds of Latin jazz are getting a lot of much-deserved attention. What specific goals do you have as a bassist in that genre?

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: As a bassist and composer, my goal is to make others understand that jazz, no matter if Latin or straight ahead, is the means of manifesting your feelings and allowing full amplitude for improvisation and interaction with your musicians. The contribution I want to make in this respect is to warn perrformers to remember that the roots of the jazz must always be within the lines of what ever fusion you do.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: "La Guagua" is stellar and reflects the preparation that is necessary for success. How involved are your teachers, parents and fellow musicians in the development of your musicianship?

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: My fellow musicians, my teachers, my parents, all of them resemble what I feel about my music. I am convinced that you really get off the ground when you have a lot of playing and let others nourish your own abilities. This is something almost classical: if you have the tools and basic skills necessary to perform but have not gone through the experience of other fellow musicians you will not go too far away. You must afford to be criticized and faced with your weaknesses.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: You composed seven songs for THE BEGINNING that fill the full range of jazz structures with an added Latin beat. What inspiration do you call on to "just keep it coming?"

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: To this question I want to be very clear and specific: I just let my inspiration fly based on my experiences, my personal life , the learned tools and a close relationship between me and my Lord.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: The saxes are blaring and the beat is booming. The rhythmic groove on "Willys Tune" is a definite show stopper. What is the story behind "Willys Tune?"

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: The story behind it is about my father, William. I wrote this as a respect for his cheerful spirit even though at the time I wrote it we had a very reserved prognosis of his state of health. Fortunately, he went through all sorts of things and came out just as "Willy's Tune" points out - "a funky blues of life with some cha-cha.” That is the way he is and the way I will remember him forever.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: The set is one that makes you just pop this bad boy in your CD player and get your groove on. "La Vision," again with Alein is so happening. Your bass line on "First Step" is solid and sets the pace very well. How often does the band rehearse?

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: We do rehearse a lot, but more importantly, we perform together in all styles of music and jam a lot to let our musical soul roll over and manifest. This is a key factor for the young who wants to get into this.....play with a purpose or without it....but play!

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Are you touring to support the release of THE BEGINNING, your new CD?

GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: My manager is trying to get set with a series of presentations in the United States and Latin America in support of my CD. Most of these presentations will be with my recording band in order to observe or preserve the sense of the production. However, I will also make presentations using musicians available in the venues. This is the interesting part of the jazz, meet with people that you never met before and perform the best of the best. This is the greatness of jazz...the demanding power of performance.

ALL ABOUT JAZZ: Gabriel, thank you so much for speaking with us and we wish you continued success with THE BEGINNING.

THE BEGINNING is a very respectable showing by a young artist taking his first steps toward jazz prominence. His creativity has the promise of a future and should not be overlooked. Latin jazz is hot and so is Gabriel Rodriguez on his new CD titled, THE BEGINNING. Stay in touch with Gabriel at http://plazatropical.com/gabriel_1.html or through his e-mail at: gabriel@plazatropical.com.