A memorable interview during the early career of music legend Tito Rodriquez, Jr.
There are many occupations that, while they put beans of the table and keep a roof over your head, dont exactly instill much enthusiasm in their practitioners. Bandleader is not one of those professions. And if youre a bandleader whose father was a legendary singer and bandleader, the fires of professional passion can be downright incendiary.
So it is with Tito Rodriquez, Jr., son of Pablo Tito Rodriquez, dubbed the Frank Sinatra of tropical music. His scintillating rhythms had legions of fans swaying and swirling to the intoxicating big band Latin beat before and after the WWII era.
Tito Jr. surrounded by everything and everyone musical from birth, developed an interest in playing drums by age nine. Although he explored several musical instruments during his teens, including guitar, piano and vibes, he soon gravitated to the timbales. Tito then, at his fathers insistence, pursued a formal music education at the Berklee College of Music and the University of Miamis Department of Music.
While only in his early twenties, Tito organized his first band, the Tito Rodriquez II Orchestra, which led to his production and recording of Curious, an album that has recently been re-issued on CD and is considered a Latin classic.
Today Tito Rodriguez, Jr. carries his fathers music, as well as his own songs and arrangements to throngs of enthralled listeners and dancers around the world. His mission is to impart a love for his signature mambo refrains, introducing it to current and future generations. To anyone who has every attended a Tito Rodriguez, Jr. performance, there can be little doubt that his exuberant, Caribbean-derived cadence is worthy of musical immortality.
What were your early childhood years in New York like, growing up with a music legend for a father?
Our house was always full of music. I knew from all of Dad’s records and awards in the house that he was someone special, but to me, he was just Dad. My earliest memory is when I was seven and listening to my Dad rehearse his orchestra in our basement and then suddenly we were at the Palladium Ballroom in NYC. To encourage my interest in music, my parents bought me a drum set when I was about 8 years old. By the time I was nine, Dad had me working endorsing Bustelo coffee. I was part ofa passionate, hard working family.
Because of who my father was, I also had the opportunity to meet a lot of entertainers and sports figures, such as Roberto Clemente, Orlando Cepeda, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Jose Ferrer, Sammy Davis, Jr. Tony Bennett, Flip Wilson, Delta Reese, and Dione Warwick to name a few.
I have two favorite memories of celebrities. One time Orlando Cepeda came over to our house for dinner. We had time to kill before dinner so he took me and my friends out into the street and played catch with us. I was definitely the hero of the neighborhood for a white.
Golf lessons from the master, Chi Chi Rodriguez, also stands out. He was a great teacher and a real jokester. He had me in stitches on the range. The only downside to my Dad being famous was that my Dad had to travel to tour and he was away from all of us for long stretches of time. We realty missed him.
Did you always take it for granted that you would follow your father into a musical career, or did that realization develop gradually?
I never took it for granted. My love of music just evolved naturally over time. By the time I was sixteen, music began to spark my interest. Dad said if I was serious about music, then I had to have a formal music education before he would even consider allowing me to play with him and his orchestra. There were no free rides. This prompted me to study at Berklee College of Music and the University of Miami where I graduated with a BA in Music.
In your teens you studied Guitar, Piano, Vibes and Timbales. Do you play multiple instruments in your performances today?
No, professionally I only play the timbales and occasionally sing background. Today I am primarily the orchestra leader/timbale player’ The music does not require me to play other instruments. I do enjoy playing the guitar in my spare time.
Your father insisted on you pursuing a formal musical education, rather than a totally self-taught approach. Do you feel that resulted in a more solid musical foundation for your musical development?
Yes, absolutely. I learned all aspects of writing music, harmony, theory, arranging, and melody improvisation. Without a formal education, I would not be able to do all of the things I do today, arrange, produce, write, and perform.
Tell us about your first band, The Tito Rodriguez II Orchestra, and how it came to be.
My father had just died and my Mother came to me with the idea of doing a record. My sister and her husband were running Dad’s label, TR Records. To pique people’s interest, Mom suggested the name Curious? At the time, I knew Ruben Blades.
We played soccer together in Central Park. He was with Fania singing and composing. I met with Ruben and other songwriters and put the album together. The lead singer was Jose Alberto, El Canario. ln addition, Adalberto Santiago was on Coro along with Ruben. The album sold over 5o,ooo copies in Africa alone. lnLatin music, sales over 50,000 units is considered a gold record. We had a winner on our first try.
You have been involved, in several capacities, with some of the top Latin musical talent spanning the ’60s to the ’90s. Who were a few of the most memorable standouts?
Performing with Cetia Cruz at the Hollywood Bowl really stands out. lt was one of her last performances. Little did I know she was very ill. She put on a great performance and was one of the last great classic Latin performers. The performance at Carnegie Hall with Gitberto Santa Rosa was also very memorable. As an artist it is one of the greatest venues to perform in, so I am very proud of that.
Composing the theme song for Sally Jessy Raphael’s show was my first experience as a writer/arranger for a nationally televised TV production. Loved it. Would love to do more of this type of work. lt was a great collaboration between artists.
In 2002, you, along with Mario Grillo and Tito Puento, Jr., formed The Big 3 Palladium Orchestra. Tell us about the concept behind it and its enduring success.
The concept was originally Mario’s. He came to me and asked me if I would co-lead the orchestra with him. The idea was to continue to play traditional Mambo Music with a big band. Between the three of us we have over 2,5oo original charts from our fathers. We love the music and love exposing it to a younger generation. For example, some of them know Luis Miguel’s version of Tu Me Delirio, but how many of them have heard my father’s recording of it with the London Symphony Orchestra?
ln 2004 we recorded The Big Three Palladium Orchestra, Live at the Bluenote in NYC. This propelled us onto the international stage and now we are touring all over the world. We have been privileged to perform at such spectacular venues as Tanglewood, the Hollywood Bowl, the Porijazz Festival, the lstanbul Jazz Festival and Jazz at Vienne France Festival.
Why in 2006, did you decide to start your own, independent Latin recording label, TRJR Records.
We want to be in total control of every aspect of the product from start to finish. The idea is an album a year for me and to also write and arrange music. We want to sign new artists, produce their albums and support their development. We are currently in discussions now with a major independent label to distribute our products.
Do young Latinos readily embrace your music? An elegantly dressed, 18-23 piece Latin Big Band would seem a world apart from the contemporary, ‘Here today, Gone tomorrow’ Rock scene.
Generally, we dress for the venue. lf it is a huge outdoor festival like Pori Jazz festival with a crowd of over 20,000 we are all in T-shirts and jeans. lf it is a very elegant venue, we are in suits or tuxedos. An elegantly dressed 18-23-piece orchestra is merely icing on the cake to music that continues to rock. What we have found is that great danceable music withstands the test of time and appeals to everyone, especially the
younger generation. They are all over this music. lt is very alive and well.
You wear many musical hats: Band leader, Musician, Composer, and Arranger. Are all of these aspects of the business equally fulfilling for you?
Being a bandleader definitely has its ups and downs. Trying to please eighteen people is not always possible, no matter how hard you try. Being
a musician on the road today is not so glamorous either with travel being so difficult. Writing and arranging are very fulfilling because I am creating something new. That said, performing is a great rush. When you see that everyone is really enjoying the music, it makes me feel very fulfilled, that all of the inherent problems associated with the music business are irrelevant. It is the fans and their love of the music that makes it all worthwhile.
Do you prefer performing at Dance Clubs, where you can see your music come alive in the dancers, or are Concerts just as rewarding?
I really enjoy performing at dance clubs. It is great to see people perform the intricate synchronized Mambo dance moves. There is sensuality to the movement of the dancers and watching the dancers energizes the band and takes us to a higher level. We feed off each other. The more they are into the music, the more we are into it as performers.
As far as concerts go, the audience members always find a place in the isles to dance to the music. It is very hard to sit still while this riveting music is being performed. So no matter where I am performing people get up and dance.
Many musicians of your caliber collaborate with musical instrument makers to create their ideal sound. Have you developed, perhaps, with Toca Percussion, any special “tweaks” in your quest for tonal nirvana?
I have suggested to TOCA in the past to come out with a timbale that has the cascara sound of the vintage Leedy Ludwig timbales of the ’50s. The shell Of the drum had a rich sound to it. The current Proline timbales that I perform with for TOCA have the closest sound to those drums in my opinion.
You’ve toured all over the world. Do you have any favourite venues?
Yes, lstanbul Turkey was one of my favorite venues. We played in front of a tobacco factory ruin that was lined with a glass building.
Turkey is a visual feast, with the ancient and modern iuxtaposed. To be in a country with over 4,ooo years of history, where east/west cultures and all the major religions have collided, was a great experience. To learn that the people of lstanbuI not only knew the music but also know how to dance the Mambo in its purest form was a shock to me.
There I realized how very universal this music is and loved by all no matter what faith, ethic group or country you are from. Music is a universal language that reminds us of what we have in common with each other. During these difficult times, music reminds us of our humanity’
Your father was from Puerto Rico. Do you have any strong ties there as well, either familial, professional or both?
Yes, I have very strong ties in Puerto Rico. I recently formed the Tito Rodriguez Orchestra there, which plays my father’s original charts. It has always been my dream to form an orchestra using musicians from the island. This past February my dream became a reality. I also have many friends on the island and vacationing there with my family is something I really enjoy.
Do you have any hobbies or other pursuits that help you relax and unwind periodically?
Golf, scuba diving, yachting, cooking and entertaining family and friends at home in NYC are great ways to unwind. just recently I played golf at Palmas Del Mar and also at Chi Chi Rodriguez’s El Legado Golf Resort. Chi Chi was there and after a round of golf we discussed doing a fundraiser together to raise monies for a children’s hospital on the island.
It must give you great satisfaction and pride to be able to carry the torch of your father’s music to today’s generation and beyond.
It is an honor to play his music and to introduce his music to a younger fan base. In addition, because he died so young, he was not able to take his music to Europe and Asia. This is a privilege for me’ I hope this music catches fire in a younger generation so it lives forever.
Your music has a strong grounding in ‘tradition’ with contemporary interpretations. Do you find that it is constantly evolving, even if subtly?
My music from is constantly evolving. I always gear my music for the dancer so that it is completely danceable whether it has a Latin Jazz sound or a Mambo sound. My music is first and foremost for the dancer’ Playing my father’s original charts continues to evolve as well The music sounds contemporary because the rhythm section has a more modern, contemporary sound. That sets the tone and the music is instantly updated.
What advice would you give to young musicians who want to enter the field of traditional Latin music?
First and foremost, get a good music education. Study the history of our music and the players who created it such as Perez Prado, Machito, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmerie, Celia Cruz, and of course, my Dad’ Have a vision, follow it, and never give up no matter what anyone says’ Reach for the stars. They are out there.
In closing, is there a particular piece of your music that occupies a special place in your heart as your all-time favourite?
It is hard for me to pick an all-time favorite. When I am working on a new tune, that tune becomes my favorite, for that period of time. After it is recorded, I seem to let it go. I am always searching for inspiration for my next song and enjoy working to make it a reality.