Alfredo Rodriguez - Sounds of Space

The debut recording from Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodr�guez, co-produced by his mentor Quincy Jones features his basic trio augmented by clarinet, saxophone and woodwinds. A key player in Rodr�guez' extraordinary story is producer Quincy Jones, who co-produced 'Sounds of Space' with Rodr�guez. He is very special, and I do not say that easily because I have been surrounded by the best musicians in the world my entire life, said Jones. And he is one of the best. In turn, for Rodr�guez, 26, Jones has not only become a mentor and a teacher but like a new father. Still, such priceless endorsement can also create impossibly high expectations. But in 'Sounds of Space', Rodr�guez proves up to the challenge. The album comprises 11 tracks composed and arranged by Rodr�guez. It includes nods to Cuban masters such as Ernesto Lecuona, but also pianistic models such as Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk; it draws on the tradition, but it has a personal imprint. And now and then, Sounds Of Space is also shaped by nostalgia for a country left behind, so near yet so far.Personnel: Alfredo Rodriguez (piano, melodica), Gaston Joya, Peter Slavov (bass), Michael Olivera, Franscisco Mela (drums/percussion), Ernesto Vega (clarinets, soprano sax), Santa Cecilia Quartet (flute, oboe, French horn, bassoon)