There was a palpable curiosity within the viewers as to who Julius Rodriguez was earlier than the artist and his band took their locations behind the Desk. However the crowd was headbanging as quickly because the grooves began. The band’s vitality emanated into the gang, and it was like we have been teleported to a home present with outdated buddies. There weren’t many phrases exchanged all through this 23-minute set, simply hearty laughs and chuckles, juxtaposed by virtuosic enjoying. “I’m not a giant phrases man,” Rodriguez stated towards the tip of his efficiency, “however I’ll say that being right here is such an honor and a dream come true. I’m very glad to have a few of my greatest buddies and the best musicians on the planet with me.”

Whereas the New York-bred and Los Angeles-based pianist and multi-instrumentalist has been considered a younger grasp within the jazz world, his sophomore album, Evergreen, expands his sound past any easy categorization. Backed by Brian Richburg Jr on drums, Philip Norris on upright bass, Alonzo Demetrius on trumpet and Chris Lewis on sax, they kick off the efficiency with the infectious, gospel-tinged “Run To It (The CP Tune).” Rodriguez follows with the uplifting “Round The World” as he exhibits off his chops in a dizzying whirl of solos that transition seamlessly right into a transferring tribute, “Elegy (For Cam),” devoted to the late actor Cameron Boyce, after which into the plush and soulful “Love Eternal.” Returning to his debut album, Let Sound Inform All, Rodriguez closes his set with “Reward Of The Moon.”

SET LIST

• “Run To It (The CP Tune)”
• “Round The World”
• “Elegy (For Cam)”
• “Love Eternal”
• “Reward Of The Moon”

MUSICIANS

• Julius Rodriguez: keys
• Alonzo Demetrius: trumpet, flugelhorn
• Chris Lewis: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
• Philip Norris: bass
• Brian Richburg Jr: drums

TINY DESK TEAM

• Producers: Ashley Pointer, Bobby Carter
• Director: Joshua Bryant
• Audio Technical Director: Hannah Gluvna
• Editor: Kara Body
• Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Body, Estefania Mitre, Mitra I. Arthur
• Audio Engineer: David Greenburg
• Photographer: Sofia Seidel
• Tiny Desk Staff: Hazel Cills, Maia Stern
• Government Producer: Suraya Mohamed
• Collection Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
• VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins