Mike Rodriguez

Michael "Mike" Rodriguez (born July 14, 1979), is an American Grammy-nominated trumpeter and jazz musician.

Early life and education

Rodriguez was born on July 14, 1979, in Queens, New York, and grew up in Miami after his family relocated there when he was 8.

Encouraged by his father, he started playing the trumpet in middle school. Later, he enrolled at the New World School of Arts in Miami to study trumpet and guitar. He continued his trumpet studies with a full scholarship at the University of Miami. After two years at the University of Miami, Rodriguez transferred to the New School University in New York where he received his B.A.

Life and work

Since his graduation, and over the years, Rodriguez has performed with several acclaimed musicians and ensembles including Clark Terry, Bobby Watson, Quincy Jones, Joe Lovano, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Chico O'Farrill, The Lincoln Center Orchestra, Jessica Simpson, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Carla Bley Band, Harry Connick Jr., Eddie Palmieri, the Smithsonian Jazz Orchestra, and Bob Mintzer.

In 2003, he recorded on Charlie Haden's Grammy-winning album Land of the Sun. The album, featuring Rodriguez on trumpet; Larry Koonse and Lionel Loueke on guitar; Gonzalo Rubalcaba on piano; Ignacio Berroa on drums; Joe Lovano on tenor saxophone; and Miguel Zenon on alto saxophone; among others, won Haden the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album, in 2005.

From 1990 t0 2017, Rodriguez has participated in 21 recording sessions with such noted artists as Roswell Rudd, Arturo O'Farrill, Gerald Wilson, Champian Fulton, Ryan Keberle, Conrad Herwig, The George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, hr-Bigband, Bobby Shew, Dafnis Prieto, Maria Schneider, and Kenny Barron. As a studio musician, he has also worked with Maysa Leak, Joaquin "Joe" Claussell and David Bowie (compilation album Nothing Has Changed, 2014).

Rodriguez has been a member of Gonzalo Rubalcaba's quintet and has toured and recorded on his album entitled "Avatar" (released early 2008.)

Rodriguez is currently (2019) leading the "Mike Rodriguez Quintet," which includes John Ellis, Adam Birnbaum, Reuben Rogers, and Johnathan Blake.

In addition, he performs with his pianist brother Robert Rodriguez. The duo, under the name "Rodriguez Brothers," has recorded four albums together –– "Introducing the Rodriguez Brothers," "Conversations," "Mood Swing," and most recently, "Impromptu," with Criss Cross Jazz label in 2015.