Rico Rodriguez (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rico Rodriguez
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Rodriguez at GuilFest 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Emmanuel Rodriguez |
| Also known as | Reco, El Reco |
| Born | 17 October 1934 Havana, Cuba |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 4 September 2015 (aged 80) London, England |
| Genres | Ska, reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Trombone |
| Years active | 1958–2015 |
| Associated acts | The Specials, Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra |
Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez was a famous musician. He was born in Cuba but grew up in Jamaica. He played the trombone and was known for his work in ska and reggae music. People also called him Rico, Reco, or El Reco.
Rico was one of the first ska musicians. Starting in the 1960s, he played with many popular bands and artists. These included The Specials, Jools Holland, and Paul Young.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Rico Rodriguez was born in Havana, Cuba, on October 17, 1934. When he was very young, his family moved to Jamaica. He grew up in Kingston.
Rico learned to play the trombone at the Alpha Boys School. His schoolmate, Don Drummond, who was a bit older, taught him. In the 1950s, Rico became a Rastafarian. He also worked closely with the Rastafarian drummer Count Ossie.
Moving to the UK and Recording
In 1961, Rico Rodriguez moved to the United Kingdom. There, he joined live bands like Georgie Fame's Blue Flames. He also started playing in reggae bands.
Rico began recording music with his own band, Rico's All Stars. Later, he formed another group called Rico and the Rudies. They recorded albums like Blow Your Horn and Brixton Cat in 1969.
In 1976, he made the album Man from Wareika with Island Records. In the late 1970s, he played with The Specials. He was featured on their famous song "A Message to You, Rudy".
Later Career and Achievements
In 1982, Rico went back to Jamaica. He planned to stop performing professionally. However, in 1987, he started touring again with the Heart Beat Band. From 1992 to 1995, he also played with Jazz Jamaica.
In 1995, Island Records released Roots to the Bone. This album was a new version of his earlier work, Man from Wareika. From 1996, Rico played with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. He also performed at many ska festivals across Europe with his own band. He stopped performing with Jools Holland in 2012.
Rico was recognized for his amazing contributions to music. In 2007, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the UK. In October 2012, he received the Silver Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica. This award honored his impact on Jamaican music.
Death
Rico Rodriguez passed away on September 4, 2015. He was 80 years old. He had been ill for a short time and died in a London hospital.
Discography
- Reco in Reggae Land (Paying Tribute to Don Drummond), Pama Records (1969)
- Man from Wareika, Island Records (1976)
- Wareika Dub, Ghetto Rockers (1977)
- That Man Is Forward, 2 Tone Records (1981)
- Jama Rico, 2 Tone Records (1982)
- Rising in the East, Jove Music (1994)
- Return from Wareika Hill, Alpha Enterprise (1994)
- You Must Be Crazy (live, as Rico & His Band), Grover Records (1994)
- Wonderful World, Quattro, (1995)
- Get Up Your Foot, (as Rico & His Band), Grover Records, (2000)
- Going West, (as Rico & Friends), Creole Records (2002)
- Togetherness, (as Rico Rodriguez & Roots to the Bone Band), Subterannia Discos (2005)
- Japa-Rico - Rico Rodriguez Meets Japan, Sony Music (2006)
- Wareika Vibes, Jamdown (2006)
See also
In Spanish: Rico Rodriguez para niños
- List of reggae musicians
- List of ska musicians
- List of jazz trombonists
- Island Records discography
- Ska jazz
