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Curated by Stanley Clarke

June 7, 2025 at 8PM

This performance is 75-90 minutes with no intermission.

Continuing the Future Sounds of Jazz series curated by Stanley Clarke, BroadStage presents jazz pianist, drummer, and composer, Julius Rodriguez!

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Julius Rodriguez has crafted his artistry inside a range of sounds and styles. At 24, the Westchester native bonds a deep sense of history with an appetite for the unknown. He performs regularly as a leader across New York City, and his contributions on piano, drums, synthesizer and electric bass appear on a diverse roster of recordings, including releases from Kassa Overall, Carmen Lundy, Brasstracks, Morgan Guerin, J. D. Walter and Damien Sneed, among other critically acclaimed genre-defiant voices. 

Sharp instincts for space and phrasing, and reverence for melody elevate Julius’ expression from virtuoso to true artist, displayed in his debut album "Let Sound Tell All" released with Verve Records in 2022. In a few short years, he has garnered peer attention and critical praise from such institutional outlets as JAZZIZ magazine, The New York Times, Paste and Vanity Fair, and has earned opportunities to perform alongside some of the music’s most distinctive artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Keyon Harrold, Victoria Canal, Ben Williams, A$AP Rocky, Meshell Ndegeocello, Macy Gray, Braxton Cook, Laurin Talese and the late and legendary Roy Hargrove.

 

Pre-Show on The Plaza

Pop in for pre-show music on The Plaza with SMC Applied Music Program! Pre-show on The Plaza takes place 45 minutes before the BroadStage presentation. 

Showtimes & Tickets

“Straddling the worlds of Jazz and Hip-Hop, viewing them not as disparate forces to be combined, but as elements of one big sound.”

— STEREOGUM

Julius Rodriguez is an American jazz pianist, composer, and rising star in the vibrant alternative jazz scene. Known for his soulful sound and dynamic playing, Rodriguez blends a deep understanding of traditional jazz with modern influences, creating a distinctive voice that resonates across genres. His music effortlessly merges elements of jazz, funk, and soul, capturing the essence of both old-school and contemporary styles.

Born and raised in New York, Rodriguez began his musical journey at an early age, studying piano and drums and developing a love for jazz through the city's rich musical history. He made a name for himself as young as eleven years old in the vibrant West Village jazz club scene, and later honed his craft at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School of Music, where he further shaped his sound and refined his improvisational skills.

Rodriguez's artistry extends beyond his musicianship. As a composer and bandleader, he brings a unique energy to every performance, seamlessly navigating between melodic inventiveness and intricate rhythms. His debut album, Let Sound Tell All, received critical acclaim, showcasing his ability to craft intricate compositions that push the boundaries of jazz. His most recent album, Evergreen, further demonstrates his growth as an artist, blending rich, complex arrangements with a deep sense of emotion, while continuing to explore and push the boundaries of the genre.

Whether performing in intimate settings or large festivals, Rodriguez continues to establish himself as one of the most promising voices in contemporary alternative jazz. His work as a collaborator is equally impressive, having joined forces with a wide range of influential musical figures, such as Meshell Ndegeocello, Lianne La Havas, Remi Wolf, Kurt Elling, Chris Botti, A$AP Rocky, Stanley Clarke, Cautious Clay, and Madison McFerrin. With his impeccable technique, musicality, and vision, Julius Rodriguez is poised to become one of the defining voices of his generation in the ever-evolving world of jazz.

Since 2001, the Applied Music Program has provided music students with affordable private instruction in preparation for transfer as music majors to four-year universities or conservatories. Program participants receive instruction in various stylistic/historical musical traditions in voice, an instrument, or composition. This program is in high demand and by audition. Santa Monica College is one of the most successful transfer institutions to the University of California, California State University, Loyola Marymount University, and many other four-year schools, universities, and music conservatories.

Jazz & Blues Sponsor:

Richard and Lisa Kendall

This project was funded (in part) by a grant from Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts.