Cuban Alfredo Rodríguez Shares Stage with Stevie Wonder

July 31, 2023

Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez continues adding successes to his career. This Saturday the artist shared the stage with renowned American musician and activist Stevie Wonder.

Both musicians came together to commemorate the 90th birthday of famous producer and artist Quincy Jones, whom Rodríguez considers his mentor. This meeting took place at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, located in Los Angeles, California. The amphitheater has a capacity of 17,500 spectators.

Rodríguez announced the presentation on social media and added a photo with Wonder "I feel deeply honored to share the stage with master Stevie Wonder. Tonight we will play again at the legendary Hollywood Bowl celebrating my mentor Quincy Jones' 90th birthday!", the musician wrote in the post description.

Alfredo Rodríguez is the son of singer and television presenter Alfredito Rodríguez, who was very well known in Cuba.

The young man studied classical piano at the "Manuel Saumell" Conservatory, then at the "Amadeo Roldán" Music Conservatory and at the Higher Institute of Art, all in Havana.

His interest in jazz was stimulated by the annual "JoJazz" competition for young jazz musicians, where he won an honorable mention in 2003.

Alfredo, the pianist, became known more than ten years ago at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland). Music producer Quincy Jones noticed him at the Jazz Festival and offered to work with him.

In 2009, Rodríguez left his native city, Havana, to settle in the United States after a trip to Mexico. In his work he has kept present the traditional music of his country. One of his albums, for example, was named "Tocororo", after the national bird on the Caribbean island.

In 2015, Rodríguez received his first Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Arrangement for "Guantanamera" at the 57th Grammy Awards.

The virtuosity of Alfredo Rodríguez on piano has made him, at 38 years old, one of the main exponents of Cuban music at an international level.