Celebration!

East Los Angeles’ own Grammy Nominated trumpeter Dr. Bobby Rodriguez is a dynamic leader, charismatic performer, gifted composer/arranger, a wonderful role model for our youth, and an active speaker/clinician who’s blazing a new musical trail with the release of his 6th CD-CELEBRATION! “My 23 piece LatinJazz Orchestra is a big contemporary modern sound, combining the best of traditional Latin rhythms with be-bop improvisation and a touch of today’s beat,” says Dr. Rodriguez. Born, raised and educated in East Los Angeles, this doctor has dedicated his life to help promote the Art form of Music. “If a child is in a practice room, they can’t be out in the street, that’s my motto.” As Dr. Bobby says, “If you have a dream, go for it and don’t let anyone stop you because with a dream you have a chance and if Bobby Rodriguez can make it, so can you!” Dr. Rodriguez is professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of California, Irvine UCI. Performing hundreds of concerts every year, music and music education is what he is all about. Forever the teacher, he believes that the process of learning and being able to learn music makes a big difference in a young person’s life and in how they think about themselves. “If a child is in a practice room, they can’t be out in the street.“ “We need to have musical instruments in every school for every student. Music is communication and through communication comes talking and when people talk, we break down barriers. And that’s a better life,” says Dr. Bobby. Dr. Rodriguez comes from humble beginnings. His parents were born in the United States but held onto and instilled in him the Latino work ethic of courtesy, respect and when things get tough just work harder. His mother was born in El Paso, Texas and graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles. His father was born in Long Beach, California, was a truck driver and he never finished high school. Bobby says, “If I would have become what my parents wanted, I would be the world’s greatest lawyer/car mechanic of all time……but I chose music.” “East Los Angeles is my home. I learned to play the trumpet there, I was educated there, and I feel I’m very lucky to have been born in East Los Angeles because it’s taught me to be appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had and to make the most of them. A life in music has always been my dream. I am fortunate to have the drive and reason to stick to my dream no matter how hard the struggle becomes.” Bobby began playing trumpet at age ten while attending Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school in East Los Angeles. Under the guidance of music teacher and mentor Bill Taggart, Rodriguez learned musicianship, reading, writing and arranging. At fourteen he began earning pay for his craft. He was Student Body President of Salesian high school where he listened intently to his favorite musicians, Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Cuba, John Coltrane, Willie Bobo, Lee Morgan, Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, Blue Mitchell and many others. In 1969 he went on the air at KBCA, a jazz station in Los Angeles and gained wider knowledge of the music that would influence his artistic life and his artistic direction. After traveling extensively with the U. S. Army band from 1970 to 1973, Bobby found his niche. “I was raised on all styles of Latin music and straight-ahead jazz so it's only natural that music with a Latin feel is the truth in my music." On stage, he is a true entertainer who always makes a connection with the audience. His impressive dedication to music has allowed him to perform or record with an illustrious array of world-class musicians including Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Arturo Sandoval, Wynton Marsalis, The Brothers Johnson, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Collette, Chaka Kahn, Gerald Wilson, Don Ellis, Louie Bellson, Willie Bobo, Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Poncho Sanchez and Ike and Tina Turner. The Emotions, the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra and others. Rodriguez also spent four years touring on the “Love Boat,” traveling around the world. Dr. Rodriguez has earning a Gold and three Platinum records with the Brothers Johnson, produced five of his own recordings, ”Trumpet Talk,” “LatinJazz Romance,” “LatinJazz Explosion,” “A LatinJazz Christmas,” and “Bobby Rodriguez LatinJazz plays Duke Ellington,” as well as two recordings for the powerful 23 piece HMA (Hispanic Musicians Association) Salsa/Jazz Orchestra, “California Salsa” and “California Salsa II.” He has also produced countless recordings for other artists and is highly respected in the music community. The Grammy Nominated LatinJazz Explosion is the recording by Dr. Bobby showing that he really knows LatinJazz. The trumpeter works up a storm, leading with his horn and singing too. On this recording which includes salsa, cha cha and even reggae, Dr. Rodriguez reaches a wider audience. An accurate and lyrical trumpeter, he brings a bright tone to the session with plenty of tumbao/swing. Dr. Rodriguez has expanded the range of Christmas music. A LatinJazz Christmas is the first time a single LatinJazz artist has released a complete CD of Christmas material and it will find a permanent home next to Nat King Cole’s The Chrtistmas Song and Johnny Mathis’ Merry Christmas. Like these classic recordings, they will help us all build many fond Christmas memories in years to come. “It’s time for happy thoughts and a time to remind your family that you love them. It’s a time to give,” says Bobby. For future generations, Dr. Rodriguez leaves this message, “Go with your heart, it never lies.” In December of every year Rodriguez produces his highly acclaimed “LatinJazz Christmas Show” at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. This is a must see for the whole family during the holiday season. In 1998 Bobby was awarded “Jazz Educator of the Year,” by the Los Angeles Jazz Society and in 1999 he received KLON’s Best New Latin Jazz Artist. And in 2000 was Nominated for a Grammy Award for his “LatinJazz Explosion,” CD. And if that is not enough, Dr. Bobby was Director of Instrumental Jazz Studies at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) where his 28 piece big band and combos have won many 1st place awards including the 1998 Invitational Monterey Jazz Festival High School Competition. Performances at the Hollywood Bowl for the Playboy Jazz Festival and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion are frequent now that Bobby’s teaching these young musicians the right things to do from the beginning. He’s leader of “Jazz Adventure,” a Jazz history show sponsored by the Music Center of Los Angeles and is currently on special assignment from Music Center Education Division at Fletcher Drive Elementary teaching “How To Compose A Song.” He was also the West Coast trumpet teacher for Jazz Sports L. A., sponsored by the Thelonious Monk Institute. Graduating from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a DMA in Trumpet Performance, Dr. Rodriguez is currently president of the Hispanic Musicians Association, Inc., Director on the Board of Directors, Professional Musicians, Local #47, director of the LatinJazz ensembles and Jazz trumpet teacher at UCLA and UC Irvine as well leader of the LatinJazz Ensemble at Pasadena City College (PCC). Also, he’s a performing member of various educational music programs such as the Jazz Mentorship Program sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, “Jazz Adventure” sponsored by the Music Center of Los Angeles, and Buddy Collette’s Jazz America. As Dr. Bobby says, “If you have a dream, go for it and don’t let anyone stop you, steal it or change it because with a dream you have a chance and if Bobby Rodriguez can make it, so can you!” Musician, community minded and changing the world with his music, he always says, “I’m just one more success story from East L. A.— Dr. Bobby Rodriguez.”