ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Dr. Bobby Rodriguez
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Latin legend and Grammy Nominated Artist Dr. Bobby Rodriguez is a trumpeter, dynamic leader, charismatic performer and entertainer, gifted composer and arranger, author and active educator and clinician.
Recent releases include "Celebration!" and "Trumpet Talk" featuring Kenny Burrell, Alex Acuña and John Clayton. Other CD's include "LatinJazz Romance" and his Grammy Nominated "LatinJazz Explosion". He has earned one Gold and three Platinum records, and produced his own recordings as well as countless recordings for other artists.
Rodriquez is the winner of numerous awards, including the Los Angeles New Times Salsa/Tropical Artist of the Year, a Lifetime Achievement Award in Jazz from Drew University, and KLON's Best New Latin Jazz Artist.
Rodriguez is very active in the music community. Some of the areas where his expertise has been invaluable are as a member of the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS), member of the Board of the California Institute for the Preservation of Jazz, and as an educator in the City of Los Angeles Jazz Mentorship Program.
He is presently director of LatinJazz Music and Jazz Trumpet at UCLA, UCI and Pasadena City College, director of the Jazz Adventure, and president of the Hispanic Musicians Association, Inc.
Rodriguez' fiery and sensitive brand of trumpet playing along with his special ability to communicate with students and adults makes learning and performing an adventure!
Photograph (c) Bob Barry
Frank Potenza
Photograph (c) Bob Barry
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Capri recording artist and educator Frank Potenza is a protégé of the late, great Joe Pass and an active composer and performer with eight solo albums to his credit.
In addition to his extensive freelance recording experience he has performed in concert with Dizzy Gillespie, George Van Eps, Joe Pass, Bud Shank, Mose Allison, James Moody, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Brother Jack McDuff, and many others.
Frank toured and recorded as a member of the Gene Harris Quartet from 1996 through 1999 and is a featured soloist on Alley Cats, Gene's last recording for Concord Records. He currently leads his own groups and tours in support of his latest Capri Records Ltd. release entitled Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue.
He is a full Professor and Chair of the USC Thornton School of Music Studio/Jazz Guitar Department. He is responsible for the Department's offerings in Jazz Guitar Pedagogy and Jazz Guitar Arranging and Improvisation and is the director of Trio Ensembles and the Wire Choir Ensemble. A select few are currently studying privately with Frank. He holds a Bachelors degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts and a Master of Arts degree from California State University Los Angeles.
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Eddie Resto
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Born in New York City, Eddie Resto picked up his first instrument at age 8 (the congas) and was given his first music lessons by his grandfather, professional bassist Antonio "Bello" Ortiz, known for his performances with Javier Cugat, Emilio Reyes, Tito Puente and many others. He continued his studies on the upright bass with popular Latin bassist Andy Gonzalez and was performing regularly by the time he was in his late teens. At 17 he joined the Machito Orchestra followed by the Angel Canales Orchestra "Sabor" and frequent freelance work in New York's Latin music scene.
At 19 Resto joined the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra, which had just won the first Grammy ever for a Latin recording, The Sun of Latin Music. Working with Palmieri exposed Resto to many bands and orchestras and his career as a non-stop performer and recording artist was truly launched. Resto was heavily involved with the New York's booming salsa and Latin jazz music scene of the 1970s and 1980s, performing with countless bands including Joe Cuba Sextet, Willie Colon and Ruben Blades, Jorge Dalto and the Inter-American Band, Hector LaVoe Orchestra, and the Tito Puente Orchestra.
Resto relocated to Los Angeles in 1988 and continued to perform with the local Latin and jazz music talents such as: Alex Acuna, Bobby Shew, Rita Moreno, John Santos, Dave Pike, Kenny Kirkland, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Shakira, Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz Project, Chick Corea and many others. He has performed on numerous soundtracks for popular films, including The Mambo Kings, Blow, and The Perfect Storm.
Currently Resto is teaching piano to young children at the Echo Park Boys and Girls club of America, pursuing a master's degree in music at Cal State University, Los Angeles, and can be seen performing with The Big Three Orchestra and Eddie Palmieri.
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