ABOUT
Biography:
Jim Rodriguez born in Los Angeles of Puerto Rican descent got his first instrument, a drum set when he was three years old. Being that his father was a percussionist and his mother a music teacher and concert violinist, it was obvious that music ran thick in the blood of his family.
When he reached the age of seven, his parents decided to put him and his brother in a private school of music in Los Angeles. His instructor, Betty McFarland saw incredible potential in the child and gave him lessons on the piano for five years. When he reached the age of twelve he already was a strong reader of music and had been performing in front of audiences in various schools.
Then he happened to catch the Beatles performing with waves of crowds screaming for the fantastic four which influenced him to learn the guitar. He felt with his knowledge of music, he could teach himself in a short time. So little by little he taught himself the guitar until he was confident enough to play in a band. He put together a rock band with his brother on drums when he was fifteen years old playing hits of the late sixties and seventies. He then did a lot of performing at backyard parties and various events. By the time he was 18 he already was performing at nite clubs playing Top 40 throughout Southern California.
Here are some of his accomplishments within the last twenty years:
Played in front of 7,000 people as Mateo’s guitarist at the Shrine Auditorium at a concert.
Played for the Doo Wop society as the guitarist for the backup band for The Medallions, The Calvanes, and various other Doo Wop groups.
Played for Barbara Lynn, Rosie and the Originals, Barbara Mason, The Intruders, The Temprees, Marva King (Prince back up vocalist) at different functions.
Have played for bands that have opened for Tierra, Rolls Royce, El Chicano, Jeri, War, Big Joe Turner, just to name a few.
Played for various bands as the guitarist performing around the Southern California area like Sangria, Nova, Xposure, SD & Jam, Boomers, Retro-Boomers (KEARTH BAND), Caliente, The Flirtations, Renegade, Savor, Impact, Impulse, Smooth Transition The John Stevens Band, Satisfaction Unlimited, Funk Junkies, Kool Breeze, Rocky Padilla, Cory Silva, and Latin Brotherhood.
Have laid down various tracks vocally and instrumentally on various tracks for Moz Productions, Powerhouse Productions and Reyes Productions.
Laid down tracks for a short movie called “The Pizza Guy” which won awards for its creativity.
Have performed playing all types of music. Latin, Salsa, Funk, R & B, Hip Hop, Jazz, Country, Reggae just to name a few.
Worked with Kaos since 1998 thru 2008 as their lead guitarist and one of their lead vocalist.
Currently working with Rocky Padilla as his Lead guitarist .
Played for Barbara Mason, The Intruders, The Temprees, concert in San Pedro.
Currently working on a smooth jazz project “Noche de Oro”.
- Screen name:
- jrodguitarplayer
- Member since:
- Jun 29 2009
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Touring
- Years playing music:
- 25
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 6-7 nights a week
- Most available:
- Nights
Influences
George Benson, Santana, Norman Brown, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Gary Moore, Bruce Conti, Eddie Van Halen, Jonathan Butler, Bobby Caldwell, Paul Jackson Jr., Robert Conti,
EQUIPMENT
Equipment: American Strat Lukather P/Us, Mexican Strat with humbuckcrs, Dean Acoustic, Washburn J6, Ibanez Electric guitar, Les Paul, Studio, Danelectro 12 String, Ibanez custom guitar, 10 string Quatro, Schecter Omni 7.
Amps: Fender Cybertwin, MosValve, Blue Angel Mesa Boogie., Peavey Classic 4/10s.
