Rodney, born in 1984, comes from a family with a musical tradition. A great uncle composed for Benny Moré, among others, and his uncle, percussionist Julio César Barreto, was an enormous inspiration for Rodney. From as early as age three, Rodney was captivated as he watched his uncle practicing at home, and when they went to live shows at street carnivals.
At nine years old, Rodney entered elementary music school in Havana to study percussion, and soon tried the drums. By age 11 he’d had his first drum lessons, and by 17, Rodney was already touring internationally as a professional drummer.
At just 17, Rodney joined one of the biggest Cuban salsa bands: Isaac Delgado..s Orchestra, with whom he played and toured for five years.
Bands:
- 2007 - present. Elmer Ferrer Band.
- 2003 - present. Carhabana (Cuban-French) Project.
- 2002 - present. Interactivo.
- 2004 - present. “Havana Fax†(Cuba-Canada Project directed by Canadian musician Jeff Goodspeed).
- 2002. Germán Velasco..s Group.
- 2001 - 2006. Isaac Delgado.
- 2001 - 2002. Pasaje Abierto.
- 1999 - 2001. “Los primos†(Cuba-Canada project directed by Jeff Goodspeed).
- 2000 - 2002. "La charanga tÃpica" Enrique Lasaga.
- 2000. Nicholas Frize Project (Cuba-France).
- 1998 - 2000. Juvenile Orquestra of the Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory.
- 1994 - 1997. Los Aragoncitos.
Studio work:
- Latest CD. Tania (in production).
- Latest CD. Kelvis Ochoa and Descemer Bueno (in production).
- “Mi música.†Danzón (Cuba-Dinamarca project).
- “Mi feeling.“ Sexto Sentido (ColibrÃ, 2006).
- “A Diario.†Telmary DÃaz (Bis Music, 2006).
- “Carhabana.†Carhabana (2006).
- "Goza pepillo." Interactivo (BIS Music, 2005). Overall Prize, Cubadisco 2006.
- “Charly en La Habana.†de Carlitos Sarduà (ColibrÃ, 2004).
- “Sentimiento" Francis del RÃo (Velas, 2002).
- "La Charanga TÃpica." Enrique Lasaga (BIS MUSIC, 2001).
- “JOJAZZ. El joven jazz cubano." Robertico MartÃnez and Yasek Manzano (Egrem, 2000).
DVDs:
- Documentary, Carhabana project.
Prizes:
- “Best Side Musician." National Contest for Young Jazz Musicians, JOJAZZ.
Tours:
-2007. Canada (BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec), and Australia with EFB.
- 2006. Mexico and Europe with Isaac Delgado.
- 2005. Canada with Havana Fax.
- 2005. Europe with Isaac Delgado.
- 2005. Brasil with JoaquÃn Betancourt.
- 2004. Europe, Colombia, Martinica and Barbados with Isaac Delgado.
- 2003. Europe with Isaac Delgado.
- 2002. USA, Canada, Marroco, Europe and Mexico with Isaac Delgado.
- 2001. Canada with Los primos.
- 2000. Canada with Los primos.
- 2000. France with Nicholas Frize.
Education:
- 2002. Intermediate level percussion. Amadeo Roldán Conservatory
- 1998. Graduate in percussion (elementary level), Guillermo Tomás Elementary School, Havana.
Teaching:
- 2002 - 2005. Percussion instructor, Paulita Concepción Elementary Music School, Havana.