Cuba and the Significance of Music:
The protests on the Island of Cuba started on July 11, 2020 at 12:00pm and the Cuban diaspora has been felt worldwide. The FIU School of Music has put together a series of concerts that reflect and embrace the Cuban traditions, Cuban culture, and Cuban heritage. In celebration of how music transcends societal, political, and cultural differences, we hope to bring awareness to the significance of Cuban music of yesterday and today.
The Alfredo Rodriguez Trio:
Rodríguez’s music explores his memories of Cuba, the people and culture he left behind, and how he found his new place.
Rodríguez was nominated for a 2015 Grammy® in the category of “best arrangement, instrumental or acappella,” for the track Guantanamera. Alfredo Rodriguez is as proficient at playing classical music as he is his chosen genre. His music reflects the talents of legendary jazz pianists Keith Jarrett, Thelonious Monk, and Art Tatum. Schooled in the rigorous classical conservatories of Havana, Rodríguez’s riveting artistry is informed as much by Bach and Stravinsky as it is by his Cuban and jazz roots.