Raúl Rodríguez / "Tres Flamenco”

Raúl Rodríguez / "Tres Flamenco” 

Presented by Terraza 7 

Date: Thursday, May 9th, 2024.

Time: 7:30 pm.

Admission: $20 Cover charge Mezzanine.

Featuring:

• Raul Rodriguez / Tres Flamenco and vocals.
• Samuel Torres / Percussion
• Alexis Cuadrado / Bass

About Raul Rodriguez:  Raúl Rodríguez is an innovative force in music, recognized as both a musician and a cultural anthropologist. He is the inventive mind behind the "Tres Flamenco," a unique fusion of the flamenco guitar with the Cuban tres. His cross-cultural influence in music began to unfold as a sideman alongside notable artists like Kiko Veneno, Martirio (his mother), Javier Ruibal, and Juan Perro (Santiago Auserón), as well as through his own ventures with bands Caraoscura and Son de la Frontera.

With a deep-seated passion for exploring the Afro-Andalusian Caribbean's impact on Flamenco, Rodríguez published two significant solo works, "Razón de Son" and "La Raíz Eléctrica," that delve into his original research on the interplay between music and cultural exchange. His career spanning three decades is not just about performances but also about sharing knowledge through lectures and fostering creative collaborations worldwide, notably in Mexico, Haiti, Mali, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, and Madagascar.

Raúl's collaborative spirit has seen him share stages and studios with a diverse spectrum of artists, including Chavela Vargas, Compay Segundo, and many others. His contributions have been celebrated by peers, with Santiago Auserón stating, “Raúl Rodríguez is taking the baton of invention in Spanish popular music.” His work is a testament to the vibrant synergy of music, tradition, and innovation.

About Samuel Torres:

Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, based in Brooklyn, NY, celebrated Latin Grammy Award-winning percussionist and composer Samuel Torres thrives at the intersection of Afro-Latin rhythms, Latin jazz, and contemporary classical music. “…intelligent, sophisticated and explosive." – JazzTimes Magazine

Torres has performed, arranged, produced and/or recorded with the “who’s who” of the jazz, Latin pop and the classical world, including such luminaries as Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Don Byron, Richard Bona, Arturo Sandoval, Lila Downs, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Angelique Kidjo, Marc Anthony, Rubén Blades, Fonseca, Andrés Cepeda, Thalía, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Bridget Kibbey, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Nashville Symphony, and his country’s own international superstar, Shakira. He has been featured as a composer and soloist with classical orchestras such as Berlin Symphoniker, City of London Sinfonia, Bogotá Philharmonic, Medellín Philharmonic, Delaware University Orchestra, Berklee Composition Orchestra,  Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, and the Cali Philharmonic.

Torres won the Latin Grammy Award for the Best Classical Record with his album 'Regreso,' a concerto for congas and symphony orchestra in 2019. He is a three-time recipient of the New Jazz Works Grant by Chamber Music America. Torres received 2nd place at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Hand Percussion Competition in 2000. In 2023, he earned his master’s degree in classical composition from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where he was honored with the Nicolas Flagello Award for his outstanding achievements as a composer.

About Alexis Cuadrado: Barcelona-born, Brooklyn-based Alexis Cuadrado is a multifaceted artist, acclaimed composer, producer, bandleader, bassist, and educator. NPR music lauds his compositions, stating, "Listen to Cuadrado’s compositions and you’ll find every reason to take him seriously," while NY magazine highlights his intricate and sharply defined compositions.

Cuadrado's eclectic work traverses jazz, world, flamenco, and new music, delving into the intersection of Hispanic and American cultures while addressing social issues. His recent projects encompass a dynamic exploration of cross-disciplinary works, spanning poetry, film, radio-podcasts, dance, and design.

At the helm of his ensemble, the Alexis Cuadrado Group, he has crafted commissioned pieces, including live short film scores for pioneering works by female filmmakers such as Alice Guy-Blaché. Notable collaborations include Poètica (2014) with poets Rowan Ricardo Phillips and Melcion Mateu and A Lorca Soundscape (2011) featuring Claudia Acuña and Miguel Zenón, adapting the poetry of Federico García Lorca.

Cuadrado's extensive discography as a leader/composer comprises six albums, including Poetica (2016) and Noneto Ibérico (2011), garnering widespread acclaim. As a bassist, he has graced prestigious venues worldwide and collaborated with Grammy Award winners like Angélique Kidjo and Dianne Reeves.

Educationally, Cuadrado holds a Master's Degree in Jazz Performance and Composition from the Aaron Copland School of Music-Queens College in New York and serves as a faculty member at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He resides in Brooklyn with his wife and twin children, continuing to push artistic boundaries while inspiring students globally.