NPR First Listen Share Alfredo Rodríguez's THE LITTLE DREAM Ahead Of February 23rd Release Date

Alfredo Rodríguez, the legendary Cuban pianist and Quincy Jones mentee, is set to release his fourth album, The Little Dream, with the acclaimed Mack Avenue Records on February 23, 2018. Get the album here: iTunes, Amazon, Mack Avenue, and Spotify.

NPR Music is premiering the full album stream on their "First Listen" series today and praised it stating "Alfredo Rodríguez is a figurehead of the new generation of Cuban jazz musicians who observe and honor their roots while constantly seeking new avenues for expression. The 32-year-old pianist's new album, The Little Dream, evokes Keith Jarrett, Jaco Pastorious and Pat Metheny in equal parts, but the rhythms of Cuba, those guïro grooves can get anybody reeling and rocking, are etched into the music's bones."

Listen to The Little Dream here

For Alfredo, the new album The Little Dream is for the Dreamers and youth affected by the new regulations surrounding the DACA program. Rodríguez understands how important "dreams" are, especially for today's youth - and the immigrant children known as "DREAMers" - for shaping a more unified future. He expresses, "the title of my new album, The Little Dream, is my response to our current world climate. The title comes from my fascination with the dream world, which is a beautiful manifestation of our reality. My greatest dream is one where all humans live happily and in peace. Children are the hope and the answer to creating a world of love, peace, unity and understanding."

The 12 tracks that make The Little Dream were recorded in just two days, with a majority of the songs being done impressively in one take. Rodríguez explains, "I don't like perfection in the common sense of the word. For me, perfection is how we react to something initially, and that makes my music better and more honest. The most beautiful thing to me is when I play and the opposite of what I had intended happens, so I have to find a solution while I am playing! Music is like life, it's about adaption and transformation in the moment." Rodríguez's commitment to improvisation is evident in his popular cover song videos, which have racked up millions of views on his social media channels.

Two musicians who join Rodríguez on The Little Dream and helped shape the album's sound are Michael Olivera and Munir Hossn. "I've been touring and playing with Michael and Munir for the last several years, so The Little Dream is a testimony to the sound we have developed."

Quincy Jones continues to serve as producer, and Rodríguez never stops learning from his teacher. "Quincy always impresses me, and for a young musician, it's such an incredible opportunity to get to be around a legend. Quincy has affected my life in so many positive ways; he is my mentor, and the most open-minded musician I know. His influence has made me a better person as well as a better musician."

As jazz music sees a resurgence in younger audiences, Rodríguez is leading the way for the new wave of Cuban musicians, including past collaborators Ibeyi and Pedrito Martinez. The rich musical history of Cuba is finally being exposed to a wider audience, which has always been a hope for many upcoming artists.

Rodríguez circles back on the title The Little Dream, which he concludes "is about the child that is within us all, and how imagination and creativity are messages for hope. No one knows better than me that a little dream can become a big dream, and big dreams can become reality."

Tour Dates:
March 1 @ Regattabar, Cambridge, MA
March 2 @ The Side Door, Old Lyme, CT
March 3 @ Miller Theatre, Columbia University, NYC, NY
March 9 @ Dazzle, Denver, CO
March 11 @ UCLA - Los Angeles, CA
April 5 @ Prince Theater, Annenberg Center, Philadelphia, PA
April 6 @ Detroit Institute of the Arts, Detroit, MI
April 8 @ Jazz Kitchen, Indianapolis, IN
April 12 - 15 @ Jazz Showcase, Chicago, IL

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