Freddy Rodriguez (saxophonist)

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Freddy Rodriguez (born February 9, 1931 in Denver , Colorado ; † March 25, 2020 there ) was an American jazz musician ( alto and tenor saxophone ).

Live and act

Rodriguez learned clarinet from 1942 at Baker Junior High School in his hometown ; soon he was influenced by Artie Shaw . Under the influence of Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young , he switched to the alto and tenor saxophone in West High School . He attended concerts of the traveling jazz greats in the Rainbow Ballroom and began a career as a professional musician. In 1948 he became a contract soldier and played in a military orchestra that was stationed near Seattle . He also performed with numerous musicians who were on tour.

In 1958 he moved with his family to New York City , but was unable to quickly gain a foothold in the jazz scene. In 1960 the family moved to Los Angeles because of the precarious living conditions. In 1962 and 1963 he played alongside Charles Lloyd in Gerald Wilson's big band . He worked with Horace Tapscott and Harold Land and accompanied Nancy Wilson . Then he was part of Tommy Peltier's Jazz Corps , which performed at the Lighthouse Cafe on Hermosa Beach ; with him he released records on the Pacific Jazz label , most recently with Roland Kirk . Tom Lord lists four recordings made by Rodriguez between 1963 and 1965.

In 1968, Tommy Peltier suffered a hernia that ended his jazz career and his Jazz Corps disbanded. In 1973 Rodriguez returned with his family to Denver, where he also worked in other professions. He also continued to make music. For 40 years he appeared in clubs there every Wednesday - for 20 years in El Chapultepec , the last time three weeks before his death. Rodriguez wrote the chorale We Lift Our Hands .

After being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus , he was admitted to hospital, where he died after ten days of the effects of COVID-19 .

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d Obituary (Denver Post)
  2. ^ Pacific Jazz Records
  3. ↑ Tom Lord: The Jazz Discography
  4. ↑ entry (Sheetmusicplus)
personal data
SURNAME Rodriguez, Freddy
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Rodriguez, Fred
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz musician (saxophone)
DATE OF BIRTH February 9, 1931
PLACE OF BIRTH Denver , Colorado
DATE OF DEATH March 25, 2020
Place of death Denver , Colorado