Julius Rodriguez

Biography

Julius Rodriguez is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader born in 1998 in White Plains, New York, to a family of Haitian descent[3][5]. He began his musical journey at age three with piano lessons and was introduced to jazz by his father, who played him records by legends such as John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington[3][5]. Rodriguez's early performance experience came from playing drums, keyboards, and organ at his local church, which helped shape his versatile approach to music[3]. By age eleven, he was performing professionally in New York City's jazz clubs, quickly gaining recognition for his prodigious talent[1][6].

Rodriguez honed his skills at the Manhattan School of Music’s precollege division, Berklee College of Music’s summer program, and the YoungArts Foundation[2][3]. He later attended The Juilliard School, studying piano with Jeremy Manasia, but left in 2018 to tour with rapper A$AP Rocky after catching his attention while playing with Isaiah Barr’s Onyx Collective[2][3][5]. Rodriguez’s career rapidly expanded, leading to collaborations with prominent artists such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Brasstracks, Carmen Lundy, Roy Hargrove, and Wynton Marsalis[3][5]. In 2022, he released his debut solo album, 'Let Sound Tell All,' on Verve Records, showcasing his innovative blend of jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and classical music[2][3][5].

Rodriguez’s musical style is characterized by a fearless fusion of genres, drawing from jazz’s rich history while embracing contemporary influences like Stevie Wonder, the Beatles, Solange, James Blake, and Sampha[2][3]. His work is marked by improvisational dexterity and a commitment to expanding jazz’s boundaries, positioning him as a leading figure among a new generation of artists redefining the genre[2][4].

Fun Facts

• Rodriguez started playing drums at age 3 before switching to piano at age 6[1][3].
• He left Juilliard early to tour with A$AP Rocky after being discovered through the Onyx Collective[3][5].
• His family is of Haitian descent, and he credits his father for introducing him to jazz legends[3][5].
• Rodriguez participated in school concerts where students recreated classic albums like Michael Jackson's Thriller and U2's Joshua Tree[2].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Jeremy Manasia - Juilliard piano teacher who encouraged stylistic exploration (Juilliard studies) [2016-2018]
• Terri Lyne Carrington - Provided pivotal advice at Berklee summer program, urging him to expand beyond tradition (Berklee summer program) [2010s]

Key Collaborators

• Isaiah Barr - Bandmate in Onyx Collective, experimental jazz group (Onyx Collective, A$AP Rocky tour) [2016-2018]
• A$AP Rocky - Rodriguez toured as part of his band (A$AP Rocky 2018 tour) [2018]
• Meshell Ndegeocello - Played organ for her live performances (Live gigs) [2019-2022]
• Brasstracks - Worked as a sideman and collaborator (Live performances, studio work) [2019-2022]
• Carmen Lundy - Played piano on her Grammy-nominated album (Album session) [2020s]
• Roy Hargrove - Performed together during college years (Live gigs) [2016-2018]
• Wynton Marsalis - Played together during college years (Live gigs) [2016-2018]
• Keyon Harrold - Collaborated as sideman (Live gigs) [2019-2022]

Artists Influenced

• Philip Norris - Bass player and roommate, part of Julius's musical circle (Let Sound Tell All) [2018-2022]
• Immanuel Wilkins - Saxophonist and roommate, shared musical development (Collaborative performances) [2018-2022]
• Isaiah Thompson - Pianist and roommate, shared musical development (Collaborative performances) [2018-2022]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. FOCUS (MEMORIES FOR SALE ---AT---> 66 GREENE ST SOHO NY)
2. All I Do (Let Sound Tell All)
3. MOMENTUM (MOMENTUM)
4. Run To It (The CP Song) (Evergreen)
5. Where Grace Abounds (Let Sound Tell All)
6. All I Do (All I Do)
7. I'm Only Me (Indigo)
8. Virgo (feat. Brandee Younger, Julius Rodriguez) (The Omnichord Real Book)
9. Gift Of The Moon (Let Sound Tell All)
10. Love Everlasting (feat. Keyon Harrold) (Evergreen)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz