Rico Rodriguez

"This article is about the musician. For the fictional character named Rico Rodriguez see the Just Cause video game."

Infobox musical artist
Name = Rico Rodriguez

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Img_capt = Rico Rodriguez in 2002
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Background =
Birth_name = Emmanuel Rodriguez
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Born = birth date and age|1934|10|17
Died =
Origin = Kingston, Jamaica
Instrument = Trombone
Voice_type =
Genre = Ska, reggae, jazz
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1961 - present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Specials
Jools Holland R&B Orchestra
URL =
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Rico Rodriguez, also known as Reco or El Reco (born Emmanuel Rodriguez, 17 October 1934, [http://wm09.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:w9fyxq8hldse~T1 Allmusic.com biography] ] Kingston, Jamaica), is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Prince Buster and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley.

Career

Rodriguez was taught to play the trombone by his slightly older schoolmate Don Drummond at the Alpha Boys School in Jamaica. In the 1950s, he became a rasta and became closely musically related to rasta drummer, Count Ossie. In 1961, he moved to the UK and started to play in reggae bands there. In 1976, he recorded the album, "Man From Wareika" under contract with Island Records. In the late 1970s, with the arrival of the 2 Tone genre, he played with ska revival bands such as The Specials. One of his most notable performances was on The Specials' song, "A Message to You, Rudy".

Rodriguez also helmed his own outfit, Rico and the Rudies, to yield the albums, "Blow Your Horn" and "Brixton Cat".

In 1995 Island Records released the album "Roots to the Bone", an updated version of Rodriguez's earlier work, "Man From Wareika".

Since 1996, amongst other engagements, he has played with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and he also performs at various ska festivals throughout Europe with his own band.

He was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace on 12 July 2007, for services to music. [ [http://www.honours.gov.uk/upload/assets/www.honours.gov.uk/2007queens_list.pdf The Queens list for 2007, p. 83] )]

Discography

Rico Rodriguez discography

Bibliography

* [http://ricorodriguez.wikia.com/wiki/Bibliography_for_Rico_Rodriguez Rico Rodriguez bibliography]

ee also

*List of reggae musicians
*List of ska musicians
*List of jazz trombonists
*Island Records discography
*Ska jazz

References

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/braunovi/RodriguezRico/RicoH.html Unofficial site]
* [http://ricorodriguez.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page Jama Rico - A Wikia dedicated to Rico Rodriguez]