Alfredo Rodríguez To Release New Album: “Coral Way”

June 16, 2023: Globally acclaimed artist and pianist Alfredo Rodríguez has shared “Fidju di Lua” ft. Alana Sinkëy, the lead single from his new album Coral Way, out on August 18 via Mack Avenue Records. He’s also shared an official video to accompany the track.

Rodríguez notes, “The track is the essence of the multicultural blend that I want to share with everyone on Coral Way. It mixes sounds of reggaeton and folk with Alana Sinkëy’s stellar vocals in Portuguese and Creole. There isn’t one music style you can point to that defines this track, but that is actually the purpose.”

_{YouTube Video – Alfredo Rodríguez: Fidju di Lua}

“I play what I live, and Coral Way is my new life,” states Rodríguez. “It is the name of the street on which, for the past 3 years, I have been composing this album, and now I’m excited that people from all over the world will finally get to hear it in an expansive way, with a full live band.”

On Coral Way, listeners can expect to hear the Rodríguez they’ve known and loved for years, but with a new twist. The album embodies the collective sound of Miami, blending Latin pop, timba, salsa, bachata, tango, reggaeton, and bolero. It’s a musical fusion that encompasses the diverse Latin community while celebrating individuality and fostering unity. It calls upon Rodríguez’s roots just as much as his newly-learned experiences, representing a new phase of life marked by his latest move from Los Angeles to Miami; the birth of his baby girl; and finally reuniting in the same city as his family, who now all live in Miami, following his departure from Cuba.

In his new home, Rodríguez took note of the limited cross-pollination and few collaborations that existed between mainstream Latin music and Latin jazz. Coral Way, which features guest vocalists Cimafunk and Alana Sinkëy, serves as the connective tissue between these worlds—an artistic statement for the diverse Latin community to be seen, be heard, and take pride in their history, while creating community through individuality.

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Rodríguez’s passion for music burned brightly despite the numerous restrictions imposed by his country. At a tender age, he faced discouragement from his first teacher, who dismissed him as devoid of talent. Undeterred, Rodríguez’s love for the piano persisted, even in the absence of an instrument at home. He resorted to painting piano keys on his parents’ dinner table to practice his scales—a testament to his determination and resourcefulness.

Eventually, Alfredo was invited to represent Cuba at the Montreux Jazz Festival, where he impressed Quincy Jones. Jones saw the immense talent in Rodríguez and extended an invitation to work together in the U.S. However, pursuing this opportunity meant leaving his family behind and embarking on a journey that would require relinquishing his Cuban citizenship.

Since then, Rodríguez has achieved remarkable milestones. He has graced prestigious stages worldwide and earned a Grammy® nomination for his track “Guantanamera”from the album The Invasion Parade. Additionally, he became the first non-Chinese artist to collaborate on the English version of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo theme song, working alongside esteemed musicians such as Tan Dun, Siedah Garrett, and Quincy Jones.

Beyond his accomplishments, Rodríguez’s ability to “play stories” on the keys allows him to connect with his listeners on a deeply personal level. His albums, including The Invasion Parade, Tocororo, and Duologue, reflect his memories of Cuba, his experiences as an immigrant, and his journey of self-discovery through music. He’s been featured by All Things Considered, Downbeat, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal among many others, and performed for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concert.

Rodríguez continues to share his music along with his impactful message of perseverance and cross culturalization on an international tour, while sharing a variety of viral social media videos in which he plays well-known compositions in a Cuban timba style.

U.S. Tour This September & October

• July 1: Murcia, Spain @ San Javier Jazz Festival
• July 4: Baku, Azerbaijan @ Baku Summer Days
• July 6: Oviedo, Spain @ Teatro Campoamor with Richard Bona
• July 7-8: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain @ Canarias Jazz Festival with Richard Bona
• July 26: Langnau im Emmental, Switzerland @ Kupferschmiede with Richard Bona
• July 28: Los Angeles, California @ Hollywood Bowl Quincy Jones 90th Birthday Celebration 
• July 29: Los Angeles, California @ Hollywood Bowl Quincy Jones 90th Birthday Celebration 
• August 4: Bitonto, Italy @ Beat Onto
• August 5: Corinaldo, Italy @ Associazione Culturale Round Jazz
• August 6: Rimini, Italy @ Corte Degli Agostiniani
• August 9: Augsburg, Germany @ Botanischer Garten
• August 12: Bansko, Bulgaria @ Bansko Jazz Festival
• August 16: Tratalias, Italy @ Santannaresi Jazz
• August 18: Castelsardo, Italy @ Musica sulle Bocche Festival Jazz Internazionale
• August 20: Makarska, Croatia @ Makarska Jazz Festival
• September 19: Saint Louis, Missouri @ City Winery
• September 20: Chicago, Illinois @ Constellation
• September 22: Des Moines, Iowa @ Civic Music Association
• September 23: Madison, Wisconsin @ Stoughton
• September 24: St. Paul, Minnesota @ Turf Club 
• September 28: New York City, New York @ Sheen Center
• October 1: North Carolina @ Carolina Theater 
• October 4: Boca Raton, Florida @ Boca Black Box
• October 5: Cocoa Beach, Florida @ Heidi’s Jazz Club
• October 6: Largo, Florida @ Central Park Performing Arts Center
• October 7: Miami, Florida @ The Moss Center
• October 11: Denver, Colorado @ Cervantes
• October 13: Greeley, Colorado @ UNC Greeley
• October 14: Beaver Creek, Colorado @ Vilar Perf. Arts Center with Richard Bona 
• October 15: Salt Lake City, Utah @ State Room 
• November 3: Madrid, Spain @ Teatro Pavon 
• November 4: Lausanne, Switzerland @ Paderewski Room Salle Paderewski
• November 8: Lublin, Poland @ Teatr Stary w Lublinie
• November 9: Warsaw, Poland @ Jassmine
• November 10: E?k, Poland @ Elk Cultural Center
• November 15: Novi Sad, Serbia @ Novi Sad Jazz Festival
• November 17: Eilat, Israel @ Red Sea Jazz Festival
• November 26: Mumbai, India @ Mumbai Intl. Jazz Festival
• February 2: Gainesville, Florida @ University of Florida at Phillips Center Upstage 
• February 15: Rotterdam, Netherlands @ LantarenVenster
• February 16: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bimhuis
• February 17: Cologne, Germany @ Kölner Philharmonie
• February 20: Stockholm, Sweden @ Fasching
• February 24: Neuburg, Germany @ Birdland Jazz Club Neuburg
• February 25: Straubing, Bayern Germany @ Hotel ASAM
• March 22: Los Angeles, California @ UCLA

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