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Kimpedro Rodriguez

Visual Artist Living his Dream as a Drummer!

About Me

Born and raised in culturally diverse Spring Garden where the merging bombastic rhythms of Latino and African American drummers and percussionist were the soundtrack of everyday life. Educated at J.R. Masterman and Overbrook High School, Philadelphia College of Art, The Hussian School of Art, The Academy of Fine Art, and The Society of Illustrators N.Y., where music, art and humanities allowed him to explore his creative mind ...and the world. Not long after graduation from college, Kimpedro was invited to participate in a touring performing arts camp that originated out of Bethlehem Pa. as an assistant director. While on tour in Binghampton, N.Y., Kimpedro was involved in the production of the final performance. Kimpedro not only operated a television camera under direction, but also provided the closing graphics for the show. Kimpedro co-founded The JazGuardian Musicians organization with DmHotep, Guitar Synthesist/Composer who currently is a member of The legendary SunRa Arkestra and Master Percusssionist Robert Kenyatta of Beach Boys, Sonny Rollins, Wilson Pickett and John Coltrane fame. JazGuardian served corporate, private and public clients for @ 20 years providing creative support in the form of writing, visual art, architectural renderings/drafting, arranging, producing instruction and performance. Kimpedro created Kimpedro's NU GRuV Network in 2012, after 20 years of corporate, public and private service with Jazguardian. NU GRuV Network is a collective of artists - visual, recording, performance artists, composers arrangers, photographers, producers, creative consultants, etc....pulling together resources to compliment and supplement one another to acheive their...and your creative goals and visions. (Past clients provided upon request). Kimpedro has been involved in music since 1972, where he took his first drum lessons at J.R. Masterman and made quick progress, but because visual arts was the already blossoming gift, drumming to a backseat. It wouldn't be until late in High School at Overbrook, that his humanity classes allowed for the merging of art, music, dance, writing and acting. That's when he began to play again on a consistent basis. Sitting with local bands, touring musicians and songwriters Kimpedro got on the job experience. There were many musical situations and opportunities, and he embraced many. It was in 1992, when Kimpedro really began to explore his musicality. Forming a partnership with David Middleton (DM Hotep currently of Sun Ra's Arkestra) , they ventured onto a different musical path than what was being heard on the radio or in the neighborhood. Black Classical Music, Music from around the World that would keep them relevant, Big Band, European Classical and of course fusion. producing experimenting, performing... In 1992 JazGuardian was formed Kimpedro is also a successful visual artist who runs Kimpedro's Paperbag Graphix Plus creative arts services, when not behind the kit. Kimpedro has been a featured artist in a variety of venues through out the area, including 3rd St. Gallery in Philadelphia's Old City, introducing his “PaperBag” illustrations he developed in the late 80's. He showcases his work on CD covers, greeting cards and major illustrations at his concerts and has invited his fellow artists to utilize that opportunity. He knows his success is all because of GOD's rich Graces and tender Mercies...and embraces every opportunity with Thanksgiving! He is a member of the CrossRoads Missionary B.C. music ministry, a contracted artist with The Philadelphia Jazz Project, (where he art/music directed a series of concerts celebrating the legacy of Sun Ra), The Producer's Guild and The Spotlight On Jazz & Poetry Radio House Band. Kimpedro is a visual arts and drum/percussion instructor for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. He also serves as the Arts & Culture Coordinator for The Francisville NDC. Kimpedro is in the process of writing his adventurous memoirs, “GOD is The Ultimate Time Keeper: This Drummers Story” hoping through his experiences he can inspire, encourage, entertain and hopefully redirect and save a life and a children's book, entitled “ Our Finest Gifts We Bring”.

My Jazz Story

I was blessed to have an art teacher in high school who challenged us to create the perfect environment to induce creativity. He would introduce us to a variety of music and explained the mood they created; how vibes and frequencies produced by the music could enhance (or interrupt) our creative process. I found the preferable sounds/vibes in jazz, classical and fusion music. Listening wasn't enough! I wanted to be responsible for creating moods to inspire others...twenty plus years later... I'm living my dream. If I never play another note, I can count it all joy, because I've achieved more than I ever imagined as a drummer, who is an artist first... not the other way around!