WATCH ALFREDO RODRÍGUEZ’S MESMERIZING NPR MUSIC TINY DESK CONCERT

Alfredo Rodríguez, the prominent Cuban pianist and Quincy Jones mentee stopped by NPR Music’s headquarters recently to perform a Tiny Desk Concert in support of his new album The Little Dream. Recently Alfredo’s TinyDesk Concert had its worldwide release, watch what NPR Music calls, “Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez gave our office audience a very quick lesson on why pianists from that island nation are so impressive: they treat the piano as the percussion instrument it is. Rodríguez immediately let fly with an intense flurry of notes that were as melodic as they were rhythmic.” Watch the full performance here.

Alfredo Rodríguez’s critically acclaimed album The Little Dream has seen continued support from NPR Music, with a First Listen, and 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.”

In addition, the new album The Little Dream has garnered accolades from a series of esteemed publications like New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Billboard, Jazz Times, Downbeat, and many more.

The Little Dream is a powerful message 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.”

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 reflects on the title The Little Dream, “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.”

“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.” -- New York Times

2018 Tour dates:

Nov. 1 - Jazz Showcase @ Chicago, IL          

Nov. 2 - Jazz Showcase @ Chicago, IL         

Nov. 3 - Jazz Showcase @ Chicago, IL         

Nov. 4 - Jazz Showcase @ Chicago, IL         

Nov. 13 - Maison de la Culture @ Bourges, France 

Nov. 14 - La Petite Halle @ Paris, France    

Nov. 23 - London Jazz Festival @ London, UK       

Nov. 25 - Auditorium de Zaragoza @ Zaragoza, Spain       

Nov. 30 - April Jazz Club @ Espoo, Finland

Dec. 1 – Jazzclub @ Tübingen, Germany    

Dec. 3 - Jazz Cat Club @ Ascona, Switzerland         

2019 Tour Dates:

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)