Press & EPK
Electronic press kit
Everything presenters, editors and programmers need: bios, quotes, photos and contacts.
- From
- New York City
- Born
- Barranquilla, Colombia
- Genre
- Jazz, soul, Afro-Latin
- School
- The New School
- Instruments
- Tenor, alto, soprano and baritone saxophones; flutes; B♭ and bass clarinet; Colombian gaita; Arabic ney
- Latest release
- Muthaflower (double album)
Short bio
Jay Rodriguez Sierra is a Grammy-nominated woodwind player, composer, arranger and producer. As a leader, his sound and compositions reflect his diverse experience as a veteran New York artist. From classical music and the New Complexity movement to the music of the Americas, he has a deep, uncanny understanding of sound and its meaning within history and human experience.
His music is a place where everything is possible, where the voices of Africa and the indigenous peoples of the earth meet Ravel, Stravinsky and composers yet to be known. As a sideman he has worked with Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz, Prince, Miley Cyrus, the Wu-Tang Clan, Chucho Valdés, the Mingus Big Band, Fred Wesley, Roy Nathanson and Elvis Costello. He currently tours in the front line with Fred Wesley of the legendary JB’s, and collaborates with Marc Ribot, Craig Harris and Jason Miles.
He is the founder and Artistic Director of Sound System Culture, a New York 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit.
Press quotes
In their words
“Mr. Rodriguez moves between idioms and energies as easily as he switches instruments.”
“Prolific. Prodigal. Profound. That is Jay Rodriguez. It is perfectionism kissed by chaos.”
“He could be breathy and insinuating on a ballad, brawny and extroverted in an uptempo.”
“Whatever compelled Rodriguez to avoid putting his name out front for all these years, he stands proud here.”
“Fleet-fingered saxophonist Jay Rodriguez has played it all in New York.”
“His work is defined with versatility, humor and heart. His jazz playing is full of blues and soul.”
“Mr. Rodriguez is more than a musician. He is a visionary.”
“The record is pure soul, pure groove… and pure NYC. This is the soundtrack for the block party of our dreams.”
Hi-res photos
Photos for press
Please credit the photographer as listed. For full-resolution originals, get in touch.
