Walter is an openly creative multidirectional drummer/percussionist. His richly eclectic and unique gift encompasses a plurality of styles--from rock to latin to world music--in a way that is extremely rare in a realm dominated usually by "doing-one-thing" specialists.
Combining powerful technique, uncanny sense of time, deep understanding of the essence of different cultural musical manifestations with a profound sense of stylistic appropriateness, Walter embodies -"The drummer/percussionist of the new century"- quoting his mentor Alex Acuña.
There are drummers, and there are percussionists. Very, very few of his generation have an equally flawless command at the Drum set, Latin percussion (from congas, to bongos/timbales), other World Music percussion (African, Brazilian, Afro-Uruguayan, and
Indian... among other), and Electronic percussion (both as a programmer/performer).
All of these are brought together and nurtured by a profound sense of purpose and meaning, defined by him as his "calling". Walter wants to dedicate his playing to JESUS CHRIST, "The One Whom every perfect gift comes from".
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Influences
My greatest inspiration on timbales.
Sounds Like
Danny Seraphine's CTA - California Transit Authority
Playing drums from a very early age, Walter Rodriguez, born in San Juan. P.R., played his first TV show at the age of seven. His father, top studio call on the island for over 20 years, was his first teacher and still his greatest inspiration. While playing side by side with his dad, he was surrounded by today's musical greats Alex Acuna and Giovanni Hidalgo; simultaneously enhancing his musical knowledge by studying piano and working as a sound engineer.
At the age of 22, Walter moved to Los Angeles to study at Musicians Institute of Technology, specifically the PIT (Percussion Institute of Technology) division. While getting involved in the local music scene, Walter and Alex Acuna connected, this time Alex taking Walter under his wing and becoming his spiritual and musical mentor.
Where others would concentrate on fewer options/activities as time passes-by, Walter is heading to broader, more musically challenging directions. He is not only dealing with harmonic and other relevant music-theory elements, but also opening an even bigger sonic "palette" by studying -yet- other World-Music percussion traditions, including the Australian didgeridoo [the oldest woodwind instrument ever] and the Indian tabla, to mention a few.
Walter's excellent musicianship is only a part of his appeal as player and performer. His innate charisma, adding warmth and flare to any stage, and his smile frequently pointed out, as "lighting up the whole world", are only surpassed by his sense of meaning and purpose. He defines the essence of his musical endeavor as two-fold: To shine for GOD Almighty in JESUS' Name, and to affect people in a positive way in a world desperately needing so.
Deseo que tenga alegría más allá del cielo,
y gran éxito en todo lo que haces aqui en tu mundo!!!feliz comienzo de
semana!!!siempre apoyados en Dios quien todo lo puede!!!!tu amiga Laura
Fontecha!!!!
Hello, Walter! How did the Night of Friends show go? I think it would be absolutely wonderful to fly down and see you play some time, and see your family. Besos y abrazos a todos! Carol
Yo Walter! Thanks for lookin' me up here...wish we were playin'. You are one seriously great drummer, man. Or several, what with all those polyrhythms. HAH! ---Byron
Hola Walter..gracias por agregarme. Me encanta tu trabajo y tu participación en Yanni Live..wow!! Te deseo mucho éxito. Muchas bendiciones.. :) Milagros
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13TH Direct from Puerto Rico: David La Mole Ortiz & Abraham Sanchez with Eliseo Borrrea on upright bass, Serge Kasinoff on piano, and Robertito Melendez on bongo and percussion. One night only of serious descarga solos all taking place at Mambo's Cafe located in Glendale, CA.
Come down and enjoy a great evening with delicious Cuban food and elite musicians.
All musicians are welcomed to sit in, let's start off 2009 with a Latin bang!
Please forward ...pass the word!
Time: 6 PM - 10 PM No Cover Charge Free Parking
Mambo's Cafe 1701 Victory Blvd Glendale, CA 91201 (818) 545-8613 http://www. mambosla. com/ Click link to view more details about Mambo's Cafe (menu, location, etc)
David La Mole Ortiz's myspace profile http://www. myspace. com/davidlamoleortiz
