Recent biography
Born in East Havana Cuba, and raised in Miami, percussionist and composer Roberto Rodriguez brings groundbreaking new music through his cross-cultural roots.  Drawing upon his influences across the board of traditional Cuban music roots to contemporary genres of world music, pop, jazz and improvisation, electronic, classical, he is one of the most versed performers and intriguing composers today.

Short brief about your instrument
I have been a drummer for over 3 decades and have played traditional kit, Latin percussion and world music percussion. I studied Jazz and I am the bandleader of my own group as a composer and percussionist. I have also performed with many artists worldwide such as Rufus Wainwright, Joe Jackson, Miami Sound Machine and Julio Iglesias.

What are your thoughts on Tarab and classical Arabic music?
Tarab is one of the icons of music and the heart of World Music. It represents a very rich tradition I can connect with being from Cuba. As a cultural ambassador of my own music, I love exploring the endless possibilities of connecting people to different cultures and music. I feel that Tarab is a rare jewel that not only has to be preserved; but also shared, taught and performed at universities across the world. Through this, people can understand one another better through music and culture. It’s a very beautiful and powerful connection.

Did you get a chance to look at Kamal Kassar’s collection in Beirut?
I will be in Beirut in March and will have the honor to meet Kamal and other Revisiting Tarab musicians personally. I have been listening to the Tarab music archive extensively. It is all I listen to right now. I feel the best way for me to internally digest music is to learn it aurally by listening to it over and over and trying to sing along with it. This is how we do it in Cuba. "If you can sing it, you can play it".


Will you be stepping out of your comfort zone when performing this piece?
I am very excited to perform in Sharjah. I have been fortunate to perform with some great artists worldwide by stepping out of my comfort zone. Maybe my comfort zone is wherever I am and on stage performing.
 It is always a great feeling for me to perform in new places all over the world. The kindness and warmth shown by the people in Sharjah can only be a blueprint of goodness for the performers and the performance.

Compare this performance to the way you usually perform your music?
Performing in Sharjah is an opportunity for me to work with Arabic musicians in a Takht ensemble.  Coming from a Cuban culture I am looking forward to playing percussion with Middle Eastern musicians. Also it is a personal connection for me to come back to the UAE after thirty years.
Currently I am writing music in New York for a debut show at Lincoln Center in NY with my new ten piece ensemble "Orquesta Sarabia" named after my grandfather. The ensemble consists of American, Arabic, Jewish, Greek and Cuban musicians. I am certain that performing with the musicians in Sharjah will help me a great deal in developing my sensibility to Arabic music and culture. I am looking forward to a great musical experience.