Roberto Rodriguez

Roberto Rodriguez began his musical career at the age of 12 in the Province of

Cienfuegos, Cuba; home to the world famous Orquesta Aragón. As a teenager, Roberto participated in “Las Comparsas de Cuba”, later performing with “La Orquesta Union

Fraternal de Cienfuegos”.

In 1955, Roberto migrated to the and in 1957 he married his childhood sweetheart, Nancy Zayas, who in 1958, 1961 and 1965 gave birth to their three sons: Roberto Jr., William and Richard.

While furthering his studies in the trumpert, Roberto co- founded the orchestra “Los Jovenes Estrellas de Cuba” with his long time friend, Ernie Stairs. During this period and a little while afterwards, Roberto performed with the orchestras of Wilfredo Figueroa and the “Ritmo Swing” of Tata Vasquez.

In 1965, Roberto was recommended to Ray Barretto by Eddie Martinez. Eddie pianists for both Tata Vasquez and Ray knew of Ray’s search for a trumpet player in the style of “El Negro Vivar”. Vivar, left Ray’s band after recording Ray’s “Canaval” album. After listening to Roberto, Ray Barretto knew he had found a perfect replacement. Roberto stayed with Ray for 11 years. His tenure as a lead and trumpet soloist was outstanding. While being part of Ray’s orchestra, Roberto composed several songs such as: “Yo Soy La Candela”, “Fuego y Pa’Lante”, “Invitacion al Son”, “Cienfuegos, Perla del Sur”, “Se Traba”, “El Tiempo lo Dira”, “O’ Elefante” including the internationally renowned composition “Que Viva la Musica”.

In 1972, Roberto became a member of the “Fania All Stars” as the lead and trumpet soloist. The documentary: Our“ Latin Thing”, which featured the Fania All-Stars, propelled Roberto along with the other members of the all-stars to international fame. In 1975, Ray decided on a different musical direction for himself, Roberto became part of the group “Los Kimbos”. Two years later, in 1977, Roberto joined the band “Orquesta Broadway”. With this group, Roberto was not only the featured trumpet soloist but also a vocalist. Roberto composed several songs which became hits; including “No Se Va a Poder” and “Como Nueva York No Hay”.

In 1982, Roberto, decided to assist his sons in their quest to follow his musical path and produced the LP:“Roberto Rodriguez Presenta a Los Rodriguez”, on combo records. In 1983 Robertojoined the group “Los Rodriguez”, performing with his sons Roberto Jr. (trumpeter) and Willie (bassist).

Roberto’s career took a turn in January of 1988; he fell ill and three months later, he succumbed to his illness. His legacy will live forever.

“He was, is, and will always be my inspiration” (Roberto Rodriguez, Jr., on Vicki Sola’s Radio Show, 2010)

Videos:

Recording Credits

Vocals • Que Viva La Musica Ray Barretto – Tomorrow: Atlantic 1976 Barretto Live ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Fania All Stars – Bamboleo ‎ ◄ (7 Caliente (2) 1988 versions) • Yo Tengo Un Amor and 1 more… Ray 2006 Barretto – Indestructible ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Instruments & Performance Ray Barretto – Hard Hands ‎ ◄ (3 Fania Records 1968 versions) Ray Barretto – Together ‎ ◄ (6 Fania Records 1969 versions) Ray Barretto – The Fania Records 1972 Message ‎ ◄ (4 versions) Ray Barretto – Que Viva La Fania Records 1972 Musica ‎ ◄ (2 versions) • Ponte Duro Fania All Stars – Live At Fania Records 1972 Cheetah Volume 2 ‎ ◄ (6 versions) Ray Barretto – Acid ‎ ◄ (4 Fania Records 1972 versions) Ray Barretto – Barretto Fania Records 1972 Power ‎ ◄ (7 versions) Ray Barretto – The Other Fania Records 1973 Road ‎ ◄ (4 versions) • Cocinando Ray Barretto – Tomorrow: Atlantic 1976 Barretto Live ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Ray Barretto – Indestructible ‎ ◄ (3 Sony Music Media 2001 versions) Ray Barretto – Acid / Head Vampi Soul 2003 Sounds ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Fania All Stars – Hot Sweat -The Vampi Best Of Fania All Stars Live ‎ 2005 Soul, Vampi Soul (2xCD, Comp) Fania All Stars – Live At The Fania Records 2006 Cheetah Vol.1 ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Writing & Arrangement • Se Traba Ray Barretto – Se Traba / Alma Fania Records 1972 Con Alma ‎ (7″) • El Presupuesto Fania Records 1975 Ray Barretto – Guarare ‎ (7″) • Que Viva La Musica Ray Barretto – Tomorrow: Atlantic 1976 Barretto Live ‎ ◄ (2 versions) • Los Kimbos and 1 more… Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Cotique, Cotique 1976 Santiago – Los Kimbos Con ‎ (LP, Album) • O Elefante and 1 more… Ray Barretto – The Message ‎ Fania Records 1989 (CD, Album, RE) • Que Viva La Musica Fania Ray Barretto – The Essential Ray Records, Emusica 2007 Barretto ‎ (2xCD, Album, Comp, Records Dig) • Ana Ouana Various – Café Copacabana – Ayia Napa 2007 Special Edition – Latin Flavoured Pearls ‎ (2xCD, Comp) • O Elefante (SHH Remix) and 1 more… Various – I Like It Like Mr Bongo 2008 That ‎ ◄ (2 versions) • Que Viva La Musica Ray Barretto – Que Viva La Fania Records 2010 Musica ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Featuring & Presenting Fania All Stars – Live At The Cheetah (Vol. 1) ‎ ◄ (7 Fania Records 1972 versions) Fania Fania All Stars – Live Vol. 2 At Records, Fania 1980 The Cheetah ‎ ◄ (2 versions) Records Fania All Stars – Hot Sweat (The Vampi Best Of Fania All Stars Live) ‎ 2005 Soul, Vampi Soul (2xLP, Comp) Source: https://robertorodriguezsr.wordpress.com/biography