Daniel Rodriguez

Infobox musical artist
Name = Daniel Rodriguez

---

Img_capt =
Img_size = 250
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Daniel Rodriguez
Alias = America's Tenor
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1964|5|24|mf=y
Brooklyn, New York
Origin = Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died =
Occupation = Singer
Genre = Opera, pop
Years_active = 1980 - Present
Label = Blix Street Records
URL = [http://www.danielrodriguezmusic.com Official Website]
Notable_instruments =

Daniel Rodriguez (born May 24, 1964 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American operatic tenor from New York City. He became known as "The Singing Policeman" in his former work with the New York City Police Department, due to his role as one of the department's designated National Anthem singers. In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, he received widespread attention with his rendition of "God Bless America", which he sang at memorial events and on television. This led to an offer of formal training from Placido Domingo. He has now recorded several albums, appeared in opera, in symphony concerts, and performs in support of numerous charities.

Biography

Early years

Of Puerto Rican descent, Rodriguez was born May 24, 1964 in Brooklyn, New York. His entire family was interested in music, with both his father and grandfather singing and others playing various musical instruments. [http://www.mcdepk.com/worldchildrensday2006/mediadocs/bio_DanielRodriguez.pdf Daniel Rodriguez Biography] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] Rodriguez also cites the singing of Mario Lanza as an important musical influence. [ [http://www.redlandsweb.com/calendar/Bowl2005/June24.htm Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] At the age of ten, Rodriguez began to study singing in earnest, and a few years following, joined the American Youth Repertory Company in Manhattan, where he would later act as assistant director. [ [http://www.sfdnet.com/rus/story.asp?StoryID=122 Tenor Daniel Rodriguez in concert] Voice Of New Americans; Retrieved 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.neweraphoto.com/Christmas%20Magic.htm Christmas Magic at St. Finbar's Church] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] When Rodriguez was twelve years old, a prominent figure in the New York music industry began giving him free voice lessons, and arranged for his first recital in Studio 856 at Carnegie Hall when Rodriguez was sixteen. A year later he gave another recital at Carnegie's Weill Hall. [http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2002/vol6n37/LifePoliceOfficer-en.shtml "The Life Of The Former Police Officer From Brooklyn, Whom We Remember Singing God Bless America, Has Drastically Changed After Sept. 11"] ; Duarte, Patricia; Puerto Rico Herald; September 6, 2002; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.manhattanrecords.com/biography.asp?ContributorID=9048 Angel Records Rodriguez biography] ; Retrieved 2007-01-09] During his early years, he studied with Juilliard trained Aldo Bruschi, Juilliard-trained Elliot Dorfman, and Miraslov Markoff from the Moscow Ballet and Opera company.

After Rodriguez married at 19 and had a son, his mentor decided he had dropped music as his first priority and withdrew his support in disapproval. With this loss of an important connection in the music world, Rodriguez became depressed and stopped pursuing a singing career for five years. He worked at many different jobs, including short order cook, caterer, taxi driver, truck driver, and postal worker, before finally joining the police force. At 25, Rodriguez decided to once again attempt a music career, beginning by performing in concerts he developed himself, and eventually organizing an ensemble of musicians called "Broadway Magic". ["Singing A Nation's September Songs" Brennan, Patricia; The Washington Post; May 26, 2002; Page Y.07 See also: [http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2002/vol6n24/SingNation-en.shtml Puerto Rico Herald] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09]

Career Highlights

]

Rodriguez was on duty in New York City at the time of the September 11th terrorist attack, and was two blocks away from the World Trade Center when it collapsed. [http://www.sptimes.com/2002/09/02/911/When_tragedy_meets_ca.shtml When tragedy meets capitalism] ; Murphy, Chuck; St. Petersburg Times; September 2, 2002; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] Performing at many post 9/11 events, he received much media attention for his performances of "God Bless America". [http://www.thevillager.com/villager_160/chelseaopera.html "Chelsea Opera snags singing officer"] On, Clive; The Villager; Volume 76, Number 1; May 24-30, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] He was soon appearing on news and talk shows including, The Today Show, The Early Show, Larry King Live, The David Letterman Show, and Live with Regis and Kelly. [ [http://www.go-brooklyn.com/html/issues/_vol28/28_15/rodriguez.html "SINGS FOR MS"] ; Daly, Erin Marie; GO Brooklyn, April 9, 2005 Issue; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0111/22/lkl.00.html LARRY KING LIVE: A Musical Tribute (transcript)] ; November 22, 2001; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4186/is_20031009/ai_n11685269 "Singing Cop' makes stop"] ; Jordan, Isamu; The Spokane Spokesman Review; October 9, 2003; Retrieved on 2007-01-09]

Rodriguez performed at the September 23rd, 2001 "Prayer For America" concert, honoring the victims of the September 11th terror attacks. Placido Domingo, who was also on the bill, heard him sing and invited him to attend the Domingo/Vilar Young Artists Institute in Washington D.C. for 18 months of opera study. [ [http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-1420742/America-s-Tenor-Daniel-Rodriguez.html "America"s Tenor" Daniel Rodriguez to Enter the Washington Opera"s Vilar Young Artists Program, at the Invitation of Placido Domingo; The Spirit Of America, Rodriguez"s Debut Album For Manhattan Records, Shipped 100,000 units upon release date, February 12, 2002] ; PR Newswire; February 25, 2002; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E05E7DB1F3FF93AA35750C0A9659C8B63 From the Police Beat to the Tempo of Opera] ; Pierce, Lisa; New York Times; March 9, 2003; Retrieved on 2008-03-27] [ [http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/09/23/vic.yankee.prayer.service/index.html Prayer for America' embraces many faiths] ; CNN.com transcript; September 23, 2001; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] Rodriguez has been quoted as saying "Watching the Twin Towers collapse didn't make me sing any better. But the passion for the music has changed and for what I represent: The comfort and the feeling of national pride that I bring now more than I did before." [Dave Lewis, [http://www.pandora.com/music/artist/7aa662ef3b258360 Pandora Daniel Rodriguez Biography] ; Retrieved on 2007-03-31]

Rodriguez's first performance before a world-wide audience occurred at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, followed by the 2002 Ford's Theater Gala Celebration, attended by President George W. Bush. [ [http://www.purdue.edu/BANDS/news/040112Rodriguez.htm Orchestra to perform in Indy with tenor Daniel Rodriguez] ; Purdue University website; April, 2004; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.allyourtv.com/moviesspecials/a/moviesspecialsanamericancelebration.html Movies And Specials: An American Celebration At Ford's Theater] ; AllYourTV.com; April, 2002; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] In 2003, Rodriguez sang the National Anthem at the Indianapolis 500. [ [http://www.indy500.com/stats/trackside/2003-pg.pdf 2003 Indianapolis 500 Daily Trackside Report] ; Indy500.com; May, 2003; Retrieved on 2007-04-29] Other Capitol Hill performances were the Memorial Day concerts in Washington D.C. in 2002 and 2006, and the "Celebration of Freedom" concert in January, 2005, honoring Bush's second inauguration as President. [ [http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/concert/ "Putting the Memory Back in Memorial Day"] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/features/last.html 2002 Memorial Day Concert, Washington DC] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0501/19/se.01.html "George W. Bush: The Road Ahead"] ; CNN.com; January 19, 2005; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] He also appeared at the Republican National Convention in New York at Madison Square Garden in 2004. [ [http://www.washtimes.com/entertainment/20040826-094057-9960r.htm The GOP's dim constellation] ; Galupo, Scott; The Washington Times; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] In 2002 President Bush paid tribute to Mr. Rodriguez with the following words: "I want to thank Daniel Rodriguez for lending his fabulous voice in tribute after tribute to the greatness of America." [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020515-2.html President Honors Fallen Peace Officers' at Memorial Service ] ]

Rodriguez traveled to Monaco with the "Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department", at the invitation of the IPA (International Police Association), where he sang for Albert II, Prince of Monaco. [cite news |url=http://www.dannyrodriguez.net/Monaco.html|title=Daniel Rodriguez Meets Prince Albert |date= November 2004 |accessdate= 2007-01-09] He also sang at a Memorial Mass at New York City's Cathedral of Saint Patrick, for His Serene Highness Rainier III, Prince of Monaco who died April 6, 2005. [cite news|url=http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:5j3zfxSY7W4J:www.monaco-consulate.com/news_042705.htm+tenor+daniel+rodriguez&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=184|title=Memorial Mass in New York City for his Serene Highness prince Rainier III |accessdate= 2007-01-14]

With his emerging success as a singer of both popular and classical music, Rodriguez retired from the police department in May 2004. He made his operatic debut as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in New York City with the Chelsea Opera Company in June 2006, [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/09/arts/music/09pagl.html?ex=1307505600&en=19809dc3d0212c9c&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss "Daniel Rodriguez, New York's 'Singing Cop,' Tries an Opera"] ;Tommasini, Anthony; New York Times; June 9, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] and in December performed in the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland on an eight-city tour in association with the Hour of Power. [ [http://www.jesus.ch/index.php/D/article/141-events/34269-Hour_of_Power-Weihnachtskonzert/ Hour of Power-Weihnachtskonzert, 21 Dezember 2006 in Bern, mit Daniel Rodriguez] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09]

Philanthropy

In 2005, Rodriguez began a project called "Songs for the Soldiers", to provide CDs in USO care packages for deployed troops. [ [http://chelseaopera.org/benefit_concert_uso.html Benefit Concert December 1, 2006 . Proceeds to Benefit USO Care Package Program & Chelsea Opera] ; Retrieved 2007-01-09] He also makes regular appearances in association with [ [http://www.artaid.org/ ArtAID] ] ArtAID, The Jimmy V Foundation, The City of Hope National Medical Center, and the United Service Organizations. [ [http://www.blixstreet.com/daniel_rodriguez_bio.html Blix Street Records: Daniel Rodriguez Biography] ; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17619367&BRD=1601&PAG=461&dept_id=477132&rfi=6 Hope for the holidays] ; Rifilato, Anthony; Herald Online Community Newspapers; December 21, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] [ [http://www.jimmyv.org/archives/news.cfm?newsid=121 The V Foundation For Cancer Research archives] ; January 10, 2005; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] In 2003 he was awarded the first Raúl Juliá Award, by the Puerto Rican Family Institute, in appreciation of his charitable work. [cite news |title="The Singing Policeman" is on duty |url=http://www.northeasttimes.com/2003/0703/rita.html |last=Charleston |first=Rita |work= Northeast Times |accessdate=2007-01-09] In 2007 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the USO for his work on the Care Package Program. [http://www.dcmilitary.com/stories/032907/pentagram_28059.shtml; Retrieved on 2007-04-02]

Recordings

In December 2001, a single, "God Bless America: We Will Go On", was released by Manhattan Records, with a spoken introduction by then-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Rodriguez and the record company donated all profits from the recording (over $150,000) to the Twin Towers Fund for the benefit of the victims of the September 11 attacks. [ [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20020902/ai_n12470315 "Rumors of Minnelli, Gest discord called 'rubbish'"] ; Zwecker, Bill; Chicago Sun-Times; September 2, 2002; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] His first album, "Spirit of America", followed in 2002. In 2003 Manhattan Records released two additional albums, "From My Heart" and "Be My love". His latest album, a collection of inspirational songs entitled "In The Presence", was released by Blix Street Records in 2005. [ [http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=3419 Daniel Rodriguez, "In the Presence"; "Music Review: Daniel Rodriguez, 'In the Presence'"] ; Carter, R.J.; The Trades; August 1, 2006; Retrieved on 2007-01-09] The album includes two duets with Lea Salonga, "Panis Angelicus" and "Pie Jesu", the latter from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem. Rodriguez has also performed on several other albums, including "Yuletide Celebration," by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; "New Found Freedom," by saxophonist/composer Tom Scott; "A tribute to Ronald Reagan"; "Stand Ye Steady", with the West Point Glee Club; and an album produced by the Crystal Cathedral, in tribute to the late Johnnie Carl.

References

External links

* [http://www.DanielRodriguezMusic.com Official Website]
* [http://www.Danielrodriguez.net Tribute Website]
* [http://groups.google.com/group/daniel-rodriguez?hl=en Google informational site]