New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Alfredo Rodríguez returns to the U.S. this Fall touring in support of his new album, The
Little Dream, out now and available everywhere on tastemaker Mack Avenue
Music Group. The new album was well received with critical accolades from New York Times, who said, "The virtuoso Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, a
Quincy Jones protégé, recorded many of the tunes on "The
Little Dream" in a single take: His chops are that solid, and his trio is that tightly woven." And from NPR Music, who hailed, "Alfredo Rodríguez is a figurehead of the new generation of Cuban jazz musicians who observe and honor their roots while constantly seeking new avenues for expression."
For Alfredo, the new album The
Little Dream is for the
Dreamers and youth affected by the controversial regulations surrounding the DACA program. Rodríguez understands how important "dreams" are, especially for today's youth - and the immigrant children known as "DREAMers" - for shaping a more unified future. He expresses, "the title of my new album, The
Little Dream, is my response to our current world climate. The title comes from my fascination with the dream world, which is a beautiful manifestation of our reality. My greatest dream is one where all humans live happily and in peace. Children are the hope and the answer to creating a world of love, peace, unity and understanding."
The 12 tracks that make The
Little Dream were recorded in just two days, with a majority of the songs being done impressively in one take. Rodríguez explains, "I don't like perfection in the common sense of the word. For me, perfection is how we react to something initially, and that makes my music better and more honest. The most beautiful thing to me is when I play and the opposite of what I had intended happens, so I have to find a solution while I am playing!
Music is like life, it's about adaption and transformation in the moment." Rodríguez's commitment to improvisation is evident in his popular cover song videos, which have racked up millions of views on his social media.
Two musicians who join Rodríguez on The
Little Dream and helped shape the album's sound are Michael Olivera and Munir Hossn. "I've been touring and playing with Michael and Munir for the last several years, so The
Little Dream is a testimony to the sound we have developed."
Quincy Jones continues to serve as producer, and Rodríguez never stops learning from his teacher. "Quincy always impresses me, and for a young musician, it's such an incredible opportunity to get to be around a legend.
Quincy has affected my life in so many positive ways; he is my mentor, and the most open-minded musician I know. His influence has made me a better person as well as a better musician."
As jazz music sees a resurgence in younger audiences, Rodríguez is leading the way for the new wave of Cuban musicians, including past collaborators Ibeyi and Pedrito Martinez. The rich musical history of Cuba is finally being exposed to a wider audience, which has always been a hope for many upcoming artists.
Rodríguez circles back on the title The
Little Dream, which he concludes "is about the child that is within us all, and how imagination and creativity are messages for hope. No one knows better than me that a little dream can become a big dream, and big dreams can become reality."
Alfredo Rodríguez's live performance is a must see event! He will be joined by his trio while on tour and will be performing his hits along side the new album. Tour dates can be found here, or below.
Tour dates:
Sept. 15 - Moss Theater at the Herb Alpert Educational Village,
Santa Monica, CA
Sept. 28 - Loeb Playhouse, Perdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Oct. 5 - San Francisco Community
Music Center - San Francisco, CA
Oct. 26 - Wertheim Performing Arts Center - Miami, FL
Feb. 2 - Manchester Craftsmen's Guild @ Pittsburgh, Pa
(with Pedrito Martinez, Edmar Castaneda And Grégoire Maret)
Feb. 7 - Kimball Ballroom @ Columbia, MO
Feb. 8 - Walton Arts Center @ Fayetteville, AR
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 15 - Jefferson Center @ Roanoke, VA
(With Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 16 - Kc Jazz Club, Kennedy Center @ Washington, DC
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 17 - Flynnspace @ Burlington, VT
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 22 - North Carolina
State University @ Raleigh, NC
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 23 - North Carolina
State University @ Raleigh, NC
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Feb. 24 - Weisiger Theatre, Norton Center For The Arts @ Danville, KY
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Mar. 8 - Symphony Center @ Chicago, IL
(with Pedrito Martinez And Paquito D'rivera)
Mar. 9 - Lakewood Cultural Center @ Lakewood, CO
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Mar. 10 - Argyros Performing Arts Center @ Ketchum, ID
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Mar. 13 - The Loft, Uc San
Diego @ La Jolla, CA
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Mar. 15 - Virginia G. Piper Theater, Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts @ Scottsdale, AZ
(with Pedrito Martinez)
Mar. 16 - Jo Long Theatre @ San Antonio, TX
(with Pedrito Martinez)
May 10 - Sanders Theatre @ Cambridge, MA
(with Pedrito Martinez)
May 11 - Stratus Vineyards @ Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON, Canada
(with Pedrito Martinez)
May 18 - Vermont Jazz Center @ Brattleboro, VT
(with Pedrito Martinez)
