One of the most prolific session players of Jamaica's pre-ska era, trombonist Rico Rodriguez recorded both as a solo artist and as an honorary member of The Specials. Born October 17, 1934, his musical pursuits began while attending Kingston's Alpha Boys School, an institution for wayward boys, where he studied trombone under the legendary Don Drummond.
In the years to follow, Rico emerged as one of Jamaica's most highly regarded session musicians, often working under the direction of the renowned producer Duke Reid.
In 1961, in the months prior to the explosion of the ska phenomenon, he relocated to the UK, where he recorded a number of sides for the fledgling Island label and gigged extensively on the jazz and R&B circuits, playing with Georgie Fame's Blue Flames and others.
He also remained a top-notch session man, appearing on Sugar & Dandy's 1967 classic "A Message to You Rudy," among others. from http://2-tone.info/artists/rico.html
I always look out for Rico in Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra in the New Year's Eve Hootenanny on TV, but he wasn't there this year, maybe he's retired now. He's also been awarded the MBE for services to music.
8 Comments (since 16 Jan 2014)
music_xplosion
One of the most prolific session players of Jamaica's pre-ska era, trombonist Rico Rodriguez recorded both as a solo artist and as an honorary member of The Specials. Born October 17, 1934, his musical pursuits began while attending Kingston's Alpha Boys School, an institution for wayward boys, where he studied trombone under the legendary Don Drummond.
music_xplosion
In the years to follow, Rico emerged as one of Jamaica's most highly regarded session musicians, often working under the direction of the renowned producer Duke Reid. In 1961, in the months prior to the explosion of the ska phenomenon, he relocated to the UK, where he recorded a number of sides for the fledgling Island label and gigged extensively on the jazz and R&B circuits, playing with Georgie Fame's Blue Flames and others.
music_xplosion
He also remained a top-notch session man, appearing on Sugar & Dandy's 1967 classic "A Message to You Rudy," among others. from http://2-tone.info/artists/rico.html
jackietheripper
excellent!
DavidShepherd
I always look out for Rico in Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra in the New Year's Eve Hootenanny on TV, but he wasn't there this year, maybe he's retired now. He's also been awarded the MBE for services to music.
zodat
big like!
music_xplosion
@jackthestripper @zodat Happy you enjoyed it! Couldn't wait to share it ever since I found it :)
music_xplosion
@DavidShepherd Glad you liked it :) Thanks for the additional information. I didn't know about the MBE.