Artist Spotlight: Freddy Rodriguez Jr. and Andrew Hudson, Freddy Rodriguez Jr. & the Jazz Connection
Keyboardist Freddy Rodriguez, Jr. and bassist Andrew Hudson joined Paul Donovan for Artist Spotlight recently. Freddy is a prominent Denver-based jazz pianist, vocalist, and bandleader who has become a primary steward of the city’s Chicano jazz legacy. He is the son of the late Denver jazz legend Freddy Rodriguez Sr., the renowned saxophonist who led the house band at the iconic El Chapultepec for over 40 years before it shut down in 2020.
Freddy Jr. leads Freddy Rodriguez Jr. & the Jazz Connection, a group that carries on the musical tradition of "The Pec." His performances typically blend straight-ahead jazz standards, pop hits, and Latin classics. Since his father’s passing in 2020, Freddy Jr. has spearheaded the Freddy Rodriguez Legacy Project, performing songs from his father’s original songbook and maintaining the high-energy, "smokin'" jazz style synonymous with Denver's historic jazz scene.
Both Freddy and Andrew shared some great stories from their childhood and playing El Chapultapec.
Their next performance is coming up this Friday, April 3, at Muse Performance Space at 7 pm. Freddy Jr. will be joined by Harold Summey (Drums), Andrew Hudson (Bass), Greg Gisbert (Trumpet), Chad Schneider (Trombone), and Pete Lewis (Sax).
Photo credit: Will Ornberg, Radio Multimedia Producer
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