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“Highly recommended…a guitarist whose influences span the Latin world.
Flamenco, Brazilian choro and Mexican boleros blend in Mr. Rodriguez’s unique approach.
— Ann Powers, The New York Times
“Highly recommended…a guitarist whose influences span the Latin world.
Flamenco, Brazilian choro and Mexican boleros blend in Mr. Rodriguez’s unique approach.
— Ann Powers, The New York Times
Born in Washington D.C. of a Spanish father and a mother from the Appalachian region of Virginia, Rodriguez grew up in New York, New Jersey and Idaho. As a child he was inspired by his father’s eclectic record collection, which included Frank Sinatra, Beethoven, the Venezuelan harpist Juan Vicente Torrealba and Latin crooner
Lucho Gatica.
A dedicated music educator, Rodriguez runs a unique honors-level guitar program for young people in Brooklyn, NY, using African, Latin, Flamenco, Jazz and Classical styles to teach beginners to advanced students. Previously, he founded and directed an innovative after-school guitar program at one of New York’s largest Latino social service organizations, utilizing music from Latin America and Spain to teach basic guitar skills. He is also a registered Suzuki guitar instructor and has also taught at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.
Tomas Rodriguez is a member of The American Federation of Musicians, ASCAP and The Guitar Foundation of America.
“Tomas Rodriguez plays guitar with a passionate originality, with an individual touch, drawing from the musical heart of the Latin world.” The folk and classical traditions of Spain and South America are richly evident in Rodriguez’ playing, but he transmutes them into a sound clearly, fervently his own”.
— Norman Weinstein (Christian Science Monitor)
“Highly recommended… a guitarist whose influences span the Latin world. Flamenco, Brazilian choro and Mexican boleros blend in Mr. Rodriguez’s unique approach.
— Ann Powers, New York times
“Tomas Rodriguez’ playing was passionate and heartfelt and radiated a subtle sensuousness”
— Marianne Flagg, The Idaho Statesman
Kora player Salieu Suso (the Gambia) and guitarist Tomas Rodriguez first collaborated as part of a larger ensemble at a United Nations gathering honoring diplomats from Africa and Spain. Later, they realized that the guitar and kora were a natural fit, and began to explore creating a duo repertoire – drawing on influences from the Mandinka griot repertoire, contemporary flamenco guitar and other diverse influences – such as the arpa llanera music of Venezuela. The duo seeks to create an original sound while still honoring the kora tradition, creating an uncontrived, organic “conversation” between the two instruments.
Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 3 to 6 pm
Trio with Urbano Sanchez (percussion) and Barry Kornhauser (cello). Standard Wormwood Distillery, Industry City at 68 34th St, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 3 to 6 pm
Tomas Rodriguez, Solo Guitar Concert
St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
171 Closter Dock Road, Closter, New Jersey 07640
Information: Harrington Park Arts Council at 201 768-2615
Sunday, March 26, 2023, from 3 to 6 pm
Trio with Urbano Sanchez (percussion) and Barry Kornhauser (cello). Standard Wormwood Distillery, Industry City at 68 34th St, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 3 to 6 pm
Trio with Urbano Sanchez (percussion) and Barry Kornhauser (cello). Standard Wormwood Distillery, Industry City at 68 34th St, Brooklyn, NY
Sunday, May 14, 2023 from 3 to 6pm
Trio with Urbano Sanchez (percussion) and Barry Kornhauser (cello). Standard Wormwood Distillery, Industry City at 68 34th St, Brooklyn, NY
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“Vereda Tropical” with Enrique Lopez and Manuel Carro
“Canto de Ossanha” with Enrique Lopez and Manuel Carro
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© 2023 TOMAS RODRIGUEZ. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED