MJR Latin Project to Perform at Fogartyville in Sarasota

The Tampa Bay-based MJR Latin Project is one of the best Latin jazz ensembles in Florida. Mauricio J Rodriguez, a well-known Cuban bass player and composer, created this band to release his album Luz at the 2021 St Petersburg Latin Jazz Festival. The MJR Latin Project will perform at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Saturday, March 26 at 8pm.  Tickets are $18 for WSLR+Fogartyville members and $20 for nonmembers.  Advance tickets are available at Fogartyville.

The Mauricio J. Rodriguez (MJR) Latin Project is composed of some of the finest musicians in the area: a Grammy winning saxophonist, Zach Bornheimer; trumpeter Richie Viruét; pianist John W. Richardson; drummer Andy Fornet (former drummer for Orquesta Revé and Charanga Habanera, Cuba); and conguero and percussionist Sergio Gala. This band revives the Latin jazz scene with original compositions pleasing the most demanding spectators with its intricate fusion of Latin rhythms and momentary flashbacks to the Latin greats of musical history. The richness of the Latin flavor and modern compositional elements create a complex Latin rhythmical approach. 

Born in Camaguey, Cuba, in 1960, Mauricio J. Rodriguez is one of his generation’s most influential bass players in Cuba. He started his studies at the age of 13 in the Provincial School of Art de Camaguey and graduated from the Center of Professional and Artistic Development in Camaguey. His professors include Silvio Vergara, Orestes Urfé, Rafael Lay, and Armando Romeo, who were important figures in the historical development of Cuban music.

In 2001 Rodriguez moved to the USA, where he has since performed with several different bands and ensembles –  Guisando Caliente, Trilogy Latin Jazz Trio, and Adrianna Foster’s band, to name a few.  Currently, he is at Saint Leo University as an Adjunct professor of music.  His degrees include two Master of Music Performance, one from Cuba and the another from the University of South Florida, and studies at the University of Miami in Jazz Studio Writing.  As a composer, his music has been performed around the world, from Symphony orchestras to soloists. 

For more information:   Mauricio J. Rodriguez

Photo from Fogartyville