Kenny Barron:
As a teacher, it’s always gratifying to know that former students are doing well at what they were trained to do and that they are making a contribution to their field.  Such is the case with Pete Rodríguez,a former student of mine at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  This CD is my first time hearing him since the mid-1990s and to hear how his playing has evolved since then is truly amazing.  He possesses a full rich sound on both trumpet and flugelhorn and his technique is incredible.  His articulation is clean and precise.  It is as a composer that his development is even more amazing. The melodies he writes are full of complex quirky rhythms, making unusual dips and turns.  Harmonically, his music tends to stay away from the usual II-V, II-V-I chord progression.  Each of the original compositions, of which there are eight, on this CD is a unique entity unto itself, full of surprises and strange twists and turns.  However, one can be assured that Mr. Rodriguez does have a full grasp of the history of the jazz tradition.  One need only listen to his reading of Mal Waldron’s beautiful ballad, ”Soul Eyes,” or Herbie Hancock’s tone poem,“Dolphin Dance,” to hear his respect and love for tradition.  I, for one, look forward to many more musical statements from this evolving young artist.
back to the music page