angel1182394 + Musician in Boca Raton, FL

SEEKING

ABOUT

Personal Biography
My name is, Mr. Angel Ruben Rodriguez Sr. I was born August 29, 1954, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. As a child I traveled with my family several times from Puerto Rico to New York City until we finally stayed in the Bronx, New York City for good. It was the year 1966. I was twelve years old. It was the same year that The Fania All Stars orchestra was put together by Johnny Pacheco and Jerry Massuci. Living in both places gave me a perspective of how different New York and Puerto Rico are. Living in Puerto Rico gave me the opportunity to experience life on a farm, with cows, pigs, chickens, guineas, agaucates, mangos, oranges, guallabas, no running water, no electricity, no TV, just nature in its splendor. What a simple life. I was living in Naranjito, Puerto Rico where my grandfather Don Chago owned land and a small grocery store in the barrio of Anones. We were over 2,500 feet above sea level. The views are spectacular. This was my chance of meeting Mother Nature in her grandeur. I remember when the first poles were set in for electricity and pipes for running water. I remember my aunt Eva, who went out and bought the first TV in the barrio. It was a 13” black and white TV. There were only two channels on the island at the time. We watched El Show De Las Doce on Telemundo with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. This was my introduction to Latin music. We finally stayed for good in NYC. We settle in the Bronx, New York and I became aware of my surroundings very quickly. I had to put on a tough face and create this façade in order to protect myself from the bullies. The Bronx was now my home. I soon learned how to find solace in the Rumba’s that existed in the parks and the streets of the Bronx and New York City. These Rumbas became my school into the world of drumming. I soon knew in my heart, that what I wanted to do was play music for the rest of my life. The bug was already in me from watching El Gran Combo. Public schools in New York City were not teaching Puerto Rico’s history, culture, and music, so I looked for what connected me to the island of Puerto Rico, and that was the Rumbas of New York City. I have been playing music now for 44 years and it doesn’t look like I am ready to stop anytime soon. One of the things that changed my life was becoming a father to three children. These were events of joy and happiness. All my children were born in Lincoln hospital in the south Bronx. I worked and I played music, soon to find out that music was something I did and it was not who I thought I was. Parenthood was great but I needed something more. So I started looking for something greater to do than myself. That’s when I found The Point CDC. The opening of this center was a place
o I can practice my drums, beliefs and my values without being discriminated. I was now helping children and adults alike through what I loved the most, music. I have been into community organizing and youth development ever since. Besides The Point CDC, I had been working part time for an Organization called Arts Connection. On September 11, 2001 I was sent to a meeting at the Deutshe Bank Building 130 Liberty Street, across the street from the north WTC tower when the planes hit the towers. I witnessed this event first hand. We all managed to escape with our lives. This event showed me how vulnerable we really are. I had decided to live every minute of my life to the fullest. I have a different perspective of how to love the world, and how I looked at the world that was around me, how to have serenity for the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I knew there was a lot of work that had to be done in order for us to understand what had just happened. There are events, and there will always be events in our lives that shape our beliefs and value systems. This was the mother of all events. I will never forget.
o My family, friends and mentors who have played a significant role in my life will forever be in my mind and in my heart, and when my mind leaves me, they will all stay in my heart. My mother Mrs. Antonia Maria Cintron-Rodriguez. My brothers and sisters, whom I love dearly, are Millie, Edgardo, Elizabeth, Ruth, Eliezer (RIP) and Daniel. My children whom without them life would be boring, Angel R. Rodriguez Jr., Justin Manuel Rodriguez and Angelique Imani Rodriguez. My Grandson Angel R. Rodriguez III, his mama Lisa and sister Casey. My children’s mother Maggie Maldonado, and the Maldonado family, my grandparents Eugenia, Don Chago, Mama Concha, my godfather in Palo and Santeria Baba Femi Akinlana, his wife and life time companion, my god mother Francis Humphrey, Mr. Maximino Rivera and the Rivera family, Mr. William Everich and his family Justine and Amanda, Mr. Ramon Marrero and his family, Mr. Milton Harris who gave me the opportunity to work with the house band at the world famous Apollo Theater, the founders of The Point CDC, Mildred Ruiz, Maria Torres, Steven Sapp and Paul Lipson and all the folks involved in the making of The Point CDC, my wife Joann Vitale-Rodriguez and the Vitale family, the Honorable Congressman Jose Serrano, Mr. Mike Amadeo, Full Circle Productions Kwik and La Roka, the Vitale family specifically Joann my companion. There are too many people to mention and I thank them all for being part of my life.

In responding to my own setbacks, with peace and love, makes it much easier for me to recognize that our main job in life as musicians is to express good. We have a firm foundation for spiritual health when we are able to remove ourselves from the trickiness, cunningness and stupidity of our own limited minds.
o As confident as we may be with our own thinking, we can hardly guide our selves alone. We need each other. There is a buried treasure of love, just waiting to be discovered in everyone’s heart.
o I started playing drums at the age of 9. First paid gig at the age of 13. Musician, singer, poet, composer, arranger, actor, ensemble comedian, producer and educator. For the past 45 years I have dedicated myself to preserving and maintaining The America’s rich musical culture and history.
o Performances/Recordings with Salsa Bands and Artists: Junior Gonzalez, Paquito Guzman, Hector Tricoche, Lalo Rodriguez, Viti Ruiz, Marvin Santiago, Demetrios Kastaris and The Latin Jazz Coalition with Mr.Tito Puente (guest artist), The Magnificent Seven with (Dr. Willie Rodriguez, Andy Gonzalez, Jimmy Bosch, Chocolate Armenteros, Bobby Rodriguez, Jimmy Sabater), Orlando Marin The Last Mambo King, Nicky Marrero All Stars, Mitch Frohman, Steve Turre, Claudio Roditi, Ray Vega, Oscar Hernandez, Eddy Martinez, Kimson Plaut, Paquito Pastor, Herman Olivera, Steve Gluzband, Hiram Remon, Connie Grossman, Johnny Rodriguez Jr., Mario Rodriguez, Jerome Goldschmidt, Dave Valentin, Memo Acevedo, Ali Bello and many others.
o Latin Jazz/ Jazz Bands and Artists: Dave Valentin, Dr. Willie Rodriguez, Billy Taylor, Milton Harris, Lionel Hampton, Hilton Ruiz, Chico Freeman, Carlos "Patato" Valdez, Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Daniel Ponce with Tito Puente with Bobby Sanabria as guest artists.
o Videos with R&B, Rock and Hip-Hop Artists: Martha Wash "Listen to the People", Vanessa Williams and Chayanne "Refugio De Amor” Dance With Me, Sony Music, Evelyn Champagne King "Day to Day", Nevaris Crawford and Loud Apt. With Mr. Bernie Warrell from P-Funk as a guest, Welfare Poets, Nono and Full Circle Productions. .
o Hip-Hop Bands and Artists: Welfare Poets, M-1 from Dead Pres., MC Baba Israel, (opened for The Roots), Bis Mar Kee, Big Daddy Kane (Percussionist at the world famous Apollo Theater under the direction of Milton Harris), Universes Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz, Full Circle and others.
o Poets: Flaco Navaja, Hector Luis Rivera, Sandra Maria Esteves, Rev. Pedro Pietri, Papoleto, Mariposa, Americo, Miguel Algarin, Mellissa, Goya, Dennis Febo, New York Rican Poets Summer Stage 2010. GRAMMY winners Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's fifth annual new music concert features a spoken word jam curated by poet, musician, and visionary Angel R. Rodriguez, Sr
o Dramatic Acting: UBU Enchained by Alfred Jarry, six-city tour in Poland 1997. Directed by Wiesaw Gorski and Steven Sapp. Full Circle Productions "Soul'er Powered" with Kwik Step and La Roka, Hip-Hop on Broadway The New Victory Theater 2 week run 23 shows, Memories of Warsaw Uprising written by Miron Bialoszewski NYC directed by Wiesaw Gorski and Steven Sapp, Oregon Shakespeare Festival with Full Circle Prod.
o Lauren Velez in “They Call Me La Lupe” 14 show runs Jan 2011.
o Comedy: Latinos on the Brinks Ensemble and Mambito's Adventures.
o Folklore Music: Pleneros De La 21, Eugenio "Totico" Arrango (Palo Mayombe y Santeria), Baba Tunde Olatunji, Baba Femi Akinlana, Yomi Yomi, Balagun, Chief Bey, Louie Bauzo and others. My own project La Timba De Ayer. Dancers: Duplessey M. Walker (worked with Tito Puente since the age of 14), Arturo Aviles BAAD! (worked with the Bill T. Jones and Zane Company) Sita Fredericks AREYTOS! And others.
o Television: The Apollo Theater Amateur night worldwide 1988 to 1990, El Show de “Buenos Dias Medio Dia” on Channel 41-Univision 1990 to 1991, five days a week 1-½ hour mid day shows. Completed projects “La Timba De Ayer” drums and chant cd and "Abrazos Orchestra" Multi-genre cd with Andy Collazo Jr.

Screen name:

angel1182394

Member since:

Feb 04 2017

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

50

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Martin Quinones, Mongo Santamaria, Calos Patato Valdez, Eugenio Totico Arango, Frankie Malave, Tito Puente, etc.

Instrument experience:

Other Percussion:

Expert

EQUIPMENT

Four Congas, Timbales, Bongo, Chekeres, Percussion Toys, Bata Drums, Cuica, Udu Drum. Djimbe.