Musical Artist - Rodriguez, Rico

Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez was a Cuban-born Jamaican trombonist prominent in the reggae and ska worlds. He began his musical career in the 1950s, but didn't achieve substantial success until he moved to the U.K. in 1961 and joined bands such as Georgie Fame's Blue Flames. He later formed bands under his own name including Rico's All Stars and Rico and the Rudies.

In the late 1970s, Rico added gravitas and credibility to a number of ska revival artists by appearing on their recordings, including the Members and the Specials. Though he "retired" in 1982, he continued to tour and appear with other bands well into the 1990s, including the Heart Beat Band and Jazz Jamaica. He appeared with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra until he really did retire from performing in 2012.

Rodriguez died in 2015, but not before receiving a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2007 and a Silver Musgrave Medal from the Institute of Jamaica, both in recognition of his services to music.

Musical Monday Selections:

05/14/18: The Special A.K.A. Live! [Too Much Too Young] (with the Specials A.K.A.)

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