Colombian musician brings Caribbean sounds to Birmingham for Hispanic Heritage Month

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – As Hispanic Heritage Month gets underway, Colombian pianist and composer Ronald Rodríguez is bringing the sounds and rhythms of his Caribbean roots to Birmingham with a concert designed to connect audiences through music.

Rodríguez, who grew up in Cartagena, Colombia, will present his project “Desde la Raíz: El Caribe en Conexión” this Friday at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in downtown Birmingham.

“I grew up in Cartagena, Colombia, in South America, and we listened to music night and day, especially at night. So, all the time, we were listening to all of these rhythms,” Rodríguez said.

Those musical roots continue to influence his work as a pianist and composer. Rodríguez said he brings the rhythms and traditions he heard growing up in Colombia into his music.

“From Colombia, I bring my joy. I bring my tambour, the rhythms of my tambour, the clave of the salsa, and the music that we listen to every day, but especially every Sunday, whenever people gather together to listen and to dance to some music,” he said.

His album, “Desde la Raíz,” was recorded in New Orleans and combines musical influences from several cultures, including Colombia, Cuba, and New Orleans, along with elements of pop music.

“It has music from Colombia, it has music from Cuba, it has some music from New Orleans. It also has kind of like pop songs. So there are different styles, and I feel like people will actually like it and feel that they can connect with that music,” Rodríguez said.

His performance at the hall of fame comes during the opening week of Hispanic Heritage Month, which Rodríguez said makes the event an opportunity to celebrate culture while bringing people from different backgrounds together.

“The fact that we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s an invitation to everybody in the community to come together and celebrate not only us, but everybody,” Rodríguez said. “This is a celebration of all people. Because at the end of the day, music, it doesn’t have any boundaries.”

“Desde la Raíz: El Caribe en Conexión” will be presented Friday, Sept. 18, at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in downtown Birmingham. Rodríguez will be joined by special guests for a performance featuring music from Colombia, New Orleans, and other Latin influences.

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