Ricardo Sweatt Rodriguez

The Poet's Poet

2012-01-16T00:45:00.004-06:00

"Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth, 'You owe me.'"

~ Persian poet Hafez, 1325-1390

Hakuna Matata

2012-01-06T23:28:00.004-06:00

Creativity in our World Community

2011-12-11T15:32:00.006-06:00

Recently my good friend and Grammy nominated artist, Neil Charles Young, informed me that his college in Manchester, England has decided to close the jazz department after 30 years. Neil has taught guitar at the college for the last 15 years and was clearly disappointed in the school's decision to close the program. I didn't necessarily see this as a negative set of circumstances, however, but rather as an opportunity. In recent years local, state and national governments worldwide have limited funding to institutions resulting in discontinuing artistic programs in their curriculum. What this offers is a window for the educators themselves to go out into their communities and offer their expertise to those whom may not have the opportunity to attend higher institutions. What's needed now more than ever is artistic expression in our communities. The lack of this, I believe, is one of the core causes for dysfunction in our societies resulting in war and social inequality. Through educational outreach programs in our communities and increased cultural exchange between our nations is of great importance to the well being of our global society. On this day, decide you will explore more art in our community. Attend a performance, see an exhibit, find out what your community and performing arts organizations have to offer. There's a wealth of creativity out there waiting to be discovered and nurtured...

The Inimitable Musician

2011-11-23T17:11:00.002-06:00

In the last several years there has been no other musician who has had an impact on my musical interest in classical, jazz and country genres than that of American composer Mark O'Connor. His breadth of musicianship and composition is unmatched in my opinion. I look forward to many more years of learning from this great master...

The Great Cycle

2011-10-28T04:36:00.003-05:00

The Mayan Long Count calendar - based upon a recurring time period of precisely 1872000 days, approximately equal to 5125.36 years - ends today (not 12/21/2012). This marks an alignment between our Earth and Sun in relation to the Milky Way galaxy. This only occurs once every 26,000 years. So what does this mean? Who knows, but whatever it means, make it count....and give thanks to the Mayans:)

Ferran Adrià : The Family Meal

2011-10-02T20:10:00.011-05:00

Ferran Adria has been my #1 chef to follow since I discovered him in 2006. His philosophy on creativity lends itself well to music ~ "Creativity is not copying." Original, inspiring, a visionary, and an in-depth knowledge of world cuisine and ingredients have made him the most influential chef on the planet.

(click here to watch the interview ~ Authors @ Google London)

Wisdom

2011-09-01T02:38:00.001-05:00

Everything you do, do out of sincerity, or the benefit of the action is lost.

Hidden Messages in Water

2011-08-15T02:45:00.006-05:00

The formation of a water crystal after hearing a prayer. Learn more about the the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto and the hidden messages in water here.

Warrior Spirit

2011-07-31T00:26:00.004-05:00

Paul Delacerda, from left, Levon Ingram and Robert Ferguson - real-life guitar heroes. The band is called Warrior Spirit. Check out their story here.

Letter to a Beginning Guitarist

2011-06-02T01:02:00.009-05:00

Dear friend,

To learn how to play guitar will take about two years if you practice 30 minutes to 2 hours for 4-6 days a week minimum ...and at this point you'll still be at the beginner level. Beyond two years there is so much more you can learn. By this time you can certainly master many chord positions and scales, but executing them with fluidity is where the hard work comes in. Then, it's not enough to have fluidity with chord progressions, scales, etc.. One should strive to explore their musical individuality and push themselves to create. And don't wait on inspiration. You can spend the rest of your life waiting on inspiration.

Music is 90% work and 10% inspiration. However, you'll find that when you push yourself to play, you'll then get into ''the zone''. This is where true creativity begins to show itself. It's okay to take short breaks in your playing (but not during the first 2 years!)...as this is also part of the music. You'll find that when you come back to your instrument you'll have fresh new ideas.

Create from the perspective of human experience and social interaction. Have courage, explore and express your innermost ideals through your playing.

Potential

2011-05-12T01:51:00.000-05:00

Doctors can heal with lasers. Music, in the right hands, can do the same..

A new frontier..

2011-04-10T00:41:00.002-05:00

This book is such a great and insightful read. Brings to light what we are capable of....the miraculous.

Compassion

2011-03-24T03:55:00.002-05:00

Let us not forget we're in this world together. There is no "them and us". We're all brothers & sisters here to help one another

Dennis Haysbert

2011-03-03T13:07:00.005-06:00

I performed recently for revered American actor Dennis Haysbert. I learned he's quite the music aficionado and taking bass-guitar lessons from Tal Wilkenfeld, Jeff Beck's bass player. He is also a certified Deep Sea Diver and has become a good friend.

Dead Sea Scrolls

2011-02-06T22:13:00.013-06:00

I've been reading up on the Dead Sea Scrolls more recently and discovered an ad was placed in the Wall Street Journal in 1954 for the sale of these significant and rare scrolls. They were finally acquired by an Israeli archaeologist for $250,000. Almost all of the scrolls are in Jerusalem. A few are in Jordan and Europe. The few scrolls on display at the Shrine of the Book are accessible to all.

Birthday wishes for Lisa..

2011-01-10T21:15:00.003-06:00

My dear friend and mentor Lisa Lu celebrating her 83rd birthday! A beautiful cake for such a beautiful woman. Lisa is one of the most celebrated actresses in all of Asia. Her contribution to film and stage acting is well respected throughout the East and West. I learn a great deal from her and I'm honored to have her acquaintance and friendship:)

A Room with a View

2010-12-30T12:35:00.003-06:00

I plan to see the world from this perspective in a few short years..
Happy New Year:)

"A night view of the Nile River winding up through the Egyptian desert toward the Mediterranean Sea, and Cairo in the river delta. Such a stark contrast between the dark desolate lifeless desert of northern Africa and the Nile River teeming with life along its shores. In the distance... the eastern Mediterranean on a beautiful autumn evening (1-31-2010). Space Photo: NASA, Astronaut Wheelock"

Royal Performance

2010-12-25T17:04:00.003-06:00

I'm performing for Princess Siriwanwaree Nareerat of Thailand tonight:)
Merry Christmas!

The Score

2010-12-14T07:52:00.003-06:00

What I have to do as a musician is everything that is not on the sheet music.

Jimi Hendrix Business Mgr...

2010-11-27T17:57:00.005-06:00

Last weekend I met and played guitar for Jimi Hendrix' UK business manager, James 'Tappy' Wright (he even requested a CD!). He was full of stories about his experiences with Hendrix and life back in the day. Of all guitarists I've listened to over the years, none have moved me more than Hendrix. He was beyond his years. Iconic. Musical. Soulful. Charismatic. Bold. Innovative. Imaginative. All of this set him on a pedestal above all others. Check out James Wright's new book Rock Roadie.

Canadian promotion

2010-11-24T21:04:00.004-06:00

Seems my Canadian marketing team is doing their job:)

Shanghai World Expo 2010 pics

2010-10-24T22:31:00.010-05:00

Beautiful European architecture at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. In the last 10 years Western technology & Social Media platforms have paved the way for innovation in the tech industry worldwide. Having the major industrialized counties of the world represented in Shanghai this year is especially great and exciting. Now if China can just be more mindful of the importance of the Nobel Foundation..

James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix, November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970

2010-09-18T20:27:00.003-05:00

Jimi Hendrix passed away on this day 40 years ago. His musical integrity and legacy will always be remembered. He is often considered to be the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music by other musicians and commentators in the industry, and one of the most important and influential musicians of his era across a range of genres. He was just 27.

New Art

2010-09-06T13:23:00.003-05:00

New Dawn by Louis Jones . This artist gained world wide recognition after illustrating covers of the CWG series by Neale Donald Walsch. Beautiful work..

Letter to a Young Musician (as per Ottmar Leibert)

2010-08-18T13:19:00.000-05:00

Dear Friend,

There is practicing and there is performing and they are two very different sides of a coin. Practice is a solitary act while performance involves an audience, large or small. Having an audience changes everything.

Practice is something you will get used to doing every day, like eating, drinking, sleeping. Few artists perform every single day.

The truth is, you can’t practice performing. You practice to practice and you can practice to get ready to perform, but performing is so very different…

You can practice landing, rolling and catching your fall, but you can’t practice parachuting – unless you jump out of a plane. You can train your body to run a long distance, but you can’t train running a marathon race in a large pack of runners – unless you run many marathons.

So that’s how you practice performing – by performing. It’s as simple as that. The more you perform, the better you become at performing. The more you perform the more at ease with performing will you become. True, some people are natural performers, but I find that they are rare exceptions. Most people grow into themselves on stage over time.

After we returned from our first tour in 1990, we did a benefit concert in Santa Fe. Everyone in the band had lots of friends in the audience and we were excited and nervous. As a result we raced through 90 minutes of material in about an hour. Now, many years later the band seems to settle into a certain tempo for a song and that tempo doesn’t change much from performance to performance.

And remember: practicing is practicing and performing is performing. Do both!

Music is good medicine..

2010-07-21T14:54:00.001-05:00

Communication...

2010-07-05T18:15:00.004-05:00

Music isn't entertainment or show business. It is the first way of communicating with birds, dolphins and people.

Frances Ford Cappola's Zoetrope

2010-06-29T22:59:00.006-05:00

The Zoetrope Virtual Studio is a powerful collaborative tool for filmmakers, writers and other artists...a community where artists view, review and discuss one another's work.

Water is the principle of all things

2010-06-18T16:02:00.003-05:00

Air and Sea

2010-05-29T03:11:00.003-05:00

The sky is a live organism in the same way the ocean is a live organism..

Radical Classical

2010-05-22T14:31:00.004-05:00

Here's an instructional video of my musical peer Jocelyn Celaya. We performed together at the Zihuatanejo International Guitar Festival in 2007. This builds in intensity

New music for duet...

2010-05-18T00:14:00.006-05:00

Recorded new music tonight for collaboration with Life Coach (and singer) Vanae Tran:)

My new workstation..

2010-04-15T14:01:00.004-05:00

The Boss BR600. This digital recorder gives me a great fretless bass simulation which is perfect for subtle backing tracks for my guitar. As far as I know, only the Boss recorders have this built-in effect. My old BR8 was equipped with the same effect, but unfortunately the unit bit-the-dust during the holidays...

Houston in the Spring

2010-03-17T00:07:00.002-05:00

Why I Play Guitar

2010-02-16T11:32:00.003-06:00

Within each of us there is a desire for expression. To a degree, we do our jobs, avocations, daily routines, etc., all for the expression of our ideals and as a reflection of our values. One way I’ve found to express myself is through music. For me, guitar playing has provided a creative outlet for my life. I sometimes refer to my guitar as “my therapist”. Within each note there can be a whole universe of expression. This is why some of the most beautiful music in the world is comprised of so few notes, as in a slow ballad or a lullaby. When we listen to music and are moved by what we hear, we are resonating with the music. For listeners of my music this is what I wish them to experience, a feeling which gives them a sense of peace or inspiration. By feeling more peace and inspiration within ourselves we change our lives and in-turn change our world. Throughout history, music has so often been the catalyst for this change. Perhaps now more than ever, there is a need for more artistic expression in our world. If, through my music, I can inspire another or bring about a sense of peace to my listeners, then this will have been what life has asked of me!

Statement by Wyclef Jean on Haiti Earthquake - Breaking News's MySpace Blog |

2010-01-14T19:22:00.000-06:00

Statement by Wyclef Jean on Haiti Earthquake - Breaking News's MySpace Blog |

We Are One

2010-01-05T23:46:00.001-06:00

Wisdom

2009-12-13T23:57:00.002-06:00

“Do not drag the negative past or future into the present. Understanding the possibilities of the present. It’s a skill useful for discovering the divine.”

-- Quan Yin

Musical Insight

2009-12-06T01:24:00.004-06:00

Last week I was driving home from a gig with my friend Kelly Wayne Lancaster. Kelly is an accomplished Mandolin/Guitar player and he's never a bore to hang around with. On the drive home he had these words to say:

"Doubt is the biggest mistake in music. You gotta fucking play your instrument! You can't doubt the musicians you play with."

Kelly has performed and toured with Willy Nelson, James McKinney, Paul Buskirk and a host of other noted musical artists. He's also a national mandolin/guitar champion. Hat's off to Kelly.

Why do humans need nature as a healer?

2009-10-14T21:47:00.000-05:00

"Nature is the best way to achieve harmony. It has the fully ordered divine presence of God. It is so remarkable how God has given us this gift. It is there for healing and admiration. We must approach it with the greatest of love and benediction. Then once nature feels the love, it will continue to offer us its great reward of sustainable life. Healing comes from within, therefore our reference point must be the power coming from divine nature and God, which for me is almost the same. Healing comes from nature and meditation. Meditation is the answer. It brings about the greatest of knowledge. It brings about the universal intelligence where we can all borrow from this lending library. Intelligence offers everything we are seeking. It can be found here. So the next time you turn on the television to tune out, instead meditate to tune in to your infinite power and healing potential. Thank you all for being my guests."

Love Nicholas, Oct. 28/02, 6 years old

The Intense Arpeggiated Chord

2009-09-23T22:33:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwWZzk0M8Rs

Asturias

2009-08-24T21:18:00.003-05:00

Performing Asturias w/Bert Lams, Tom Griesgraber & Johnny Cavazos @ Night of Strings - Oxford Hall -Houston, Texas - 22 Aug 2009. A magical night!

Wisdom from Santana

2009-08-03T00:25:00.003-05:00

"When you fight with anger, you're the problem. When you fight with joy, you're the solution."
--Carlos Santana

Michael Jackson, 1958 - 2009

2009-06-26T21:37:00.003-05:00

Today is a time of celebration for the life of Michael Jackson. Certainly one the greatest performers the world has ever known. I feel blessed to have lived in this lifetime and to have witnessed the talent of such a great artist. Shine you light on the world, MJ.

Improvisation Revival

2009-05-14T21:42:00.003-05:00

"An Improvisation Revival Could Profoundly Influence How Classical Music Is Taught And Performed." - Wall Street Journal

"Bringing it back won’t be easy, though. There’s no Suzuki method for improvisation. Few contemporary classical performers master the art, let alone try to teach it." Violinist and composer Mark O’Connor, who improvised a two-minute solo passage while performing one of his own compositions at Carnegie Hall last month, says performers have to relearn how to be
creative, in part because their training places so much emphasis on the flawless execution of another person’s creation.

"One of the reasons we don’t see more improvisation in the academic setting is because at some point in our education system, the creative composers were separated from the virtuosic performers. Some of that is starting to be broken down now," says Mr. O’Connor, who learned to improvise by studying jazz and folk music and now coaches young musicians at UCLA, Harvard and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Belief

2009-04-24T20:38:00.001-05:00

"Believing is seeing. Not seeing is believing." --Bashar

Back in Houston

2009-04-24T20:15:00.008-05:00

Arrived in Houston 1 week ago after 6 weeks in Shanghai. Good trip. Met with my good friends in music & film and made new friends as well. Looking forward to returning sooner than later.
Posted are a couple of pics from the trip:

Back in Shanghai

2009-03-11T22:40:00.003-05:00

Arrived in Shanghai about a week ago. Always a good omen when I'm in a public place and I hear some guitar music. As was the case when I was in the Shanghai Hilton lobby upon my arrival and I heard Michael Hedges being played. Now I'm in a local cafe and Steve Vai is being played as I type!

The new EVH guitar

2009-02-17T19:48:00.002-06:00

Recently Edward Van Halen teamed up with Fender guitars to create the new EVH signature guitar. What I especially like about these guitars is the unfinished neck. I've played earlier models of the EVH guitar and the neck of the instrument has always been the noticeable distinction of playability. The feel is unmatched from any other guitar I've ever played. Check out the CNN video of the EVH Guitar.

Inspiration

2009-01-26T15:34:00.001-06:00

"It’s better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a lamb."
--George Rodriguez, photographer

Inspiration

2008-12-22T02:12:00.008-06:00

Why do Humans Require Nature as Healer?

"Nature is the best way to achieve harmony. It has the fully ordered divine presence of God. It is so remarkable how God has given us this gift. It is there for healing and admiration. We must approach it with the greatest of love and benediction. Then once nature feels the love, it will continue to offer us its great reward of sustainable life. Healing comes from within, therefore our reference point must be the power coming from divine nature and God, which for me is almost the same. Healing comes from nature and meditation. Meditation is the answer. It brings about the greatest of knowledge. It brings about the universal intelligence where we can all borrow from this lending library. Intelligence offers everything we are seeking. It can be found here. So the next time you turn on the television to tune out, instead meditate to tune in to your infinite power and healing potential. Thank you all for being my guests."

Love Nicholas, Oct. 28/02, 6 years old

Brother Ray

2008-11-04T17:06:00.002-06:00

"If you want to put a good band together, go to Houston, Texas."
--Ray Charles

Xie Jin

2008-10-19T12:37:00.005-05:00

Xie Jin, 1923-2008

I had the great honor of knowing Chinese film director Xie Jin after being introduced to him in 2002 during a trip to Shanghai. I'd spent a day with him at his film company headquarters, enjoyed a great lunch, toured the city, and went on location to a film shoot. I more recently visited his company headquarters last Fall season while in Shanghai. He was and always will be a tremendous inspiration to me.

Ethereal & Frantic...

2008-08-16T18:43:00.005-05:00

...this was how the owner of the Last Concert Cafe described my guitar playing recently. Now when someone asks me what "Acoustic Fusion" is all I have to say is it's "ethereal & frantic" guitar playing.

Practice!

2008-07-20T15:21:00.003-05:00

I was asked more recently how often I practice. I usually try to practice about 1-2 hours a day at least 5 days a week. This doesn't include recording time & working on new material, though. During a practice session I'll go over scale exercises, review old material, rhythmic variations, structured improvisations, etc. I also spend a few hours each week marketing my music.

I don't actually perform too often, though there are times throughout the year where I'll give at least 10 performances within a month.

Aside from my musical endeavors, I also have a love for books. I actually have a business in this field and specialize in locating rare and out-of-print books for my clients.

Between both my companies, I usually have quite a full schedule of activities each week. My other interests include learning Mandarin Chinese and advancing in my Taekwon Do (I'm a Brown Belt in Chayon-Ryu martial arts).

Wisdom

2008-06-30T19:26:00.002-05:00

"I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in the kindness of human beings. I am so absorbed in the wonder of earth and the life upon it that I cannot think of heaven and angels."
-Pearl S. Buck

Back from Los Angeles

2008-05-21T02:33:00.009-05:00

This last week in L.A. was filled with meetings and constant activity. The weather seems to always be nice in Hollywood/Los Angeles. Everyone there seems to think it's quite hot, but they just haven't experienced Texas heat.
I gave a couple of private concerts, met with colleagues in the music industry and also enjoyed time with my dear friend Lisa Lu (Lú Yàn, 盧燕). I have known Lisa for nearly 8 years, however this was the first time we actually met. She is a renown stage and film actress in China and has starred in films such as The Last Emperor & The Joy Luck Club. During my stay in L.A. she invited me to accompany her to a ceremony where she was honored with a lifetime achievement award. We also attended a screening of Narnia (neither of us really enjoyed the film).

For those of you who keep up with my blog, you know I have a strong connection with China. The latest news is all about the earthquake and I can not begin to describe the sorrow I feel from this tragedy. The loss of life on such a large scale brings me great sadness. The Chinese people are strong and I believe they can rise above this great challenge.

I was to begin touring next month as a soloist with the Shanghai Opera. Our tour itinerary included Chengdu, one of the hardest hit cities.

I ask that you take a moment of silence after reading these words, in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

Why I play guitar.

2008-04-10T15:27:00.004-05:00

American Composer Mark O'Connor

2008-04-06T23:20:00.013-05:00

Last week I had the great opportunity to check out one of my all-time favorite musicians in concert - Mark O'Connor. Truly a musical genius. Early in his career he focused mostly on guitar oriented music and then switched to violin. He's won the highest awards for technical mastery of both instruments and has recorded with some of the worlds most prominent artists such as Renee Fleming, Yo Yo Ma, Johnny Cash, Nadja Solerno Sonenberg, Bela Fleck, and the list goes on. I actually saw him perform two nights back-to-back and then attended his master class at a nearby university. His first performance was a solo violin recital featuring his American Classical repertoire, traditional fiddle tunes, ragtime, jazz and his amazing caprices. A stunning performance. The next night featured his Poets & Prophets concierto (his homage to Johnny Cash) with a piano/cello trio. Each night he also performed his Appalachia Waltz which he said was his definitive composition.

I'd heard from guitarist/mandolin giant, and dear friend, Kelly Wayne Lancaster that he no longer played guitar due to a hand injury some years ago. During his master class I actually had a chance to ask him about his guitar playing. He confirmed this saying he hadn't played guitar in 10 years due to the injury. Such a shame. He actually won the National Guitar Competition 3 times before the age of 20.

Angel Eyes

2008-03-03T22:03:00.002-06:00

Jeff Healey, 1967-2008

Inspiration

2008-02-29T15:44:00.001-06:00

"Words that are spoken from Prescence as you listen...the words go deeper into yourself and what's left of the words is the energy of Prescence that they carry. They become carriers of that and then they awaken the Prescence in you." --Eckhart Tolle

Back home

2008-02-07T08:20:00.000-06:00

I've returned from China a week ago and was greeted with clear blue sunny skies and warm weather. Looks like I may be in Mexico next week accompanying a friend on a business trip. These days I'm focusing on my marketing plan for the year as well as performance itinerary.

The latest..

2008-01-11T10:14:00.000-06:00

..news. These last 2 1/2 months in Shanghai have been great. One of my highlights was practicing guitar one morning in Huashan Gongyuan (Park) when up walks a little elderly woman. She goes into her Tai Chi forms 10 feet away from me and displays flawless form for a solid hour!

Shanghai hosts fanatastic shows every week. I had a chance to check out Linkin Park along with 20,000 Chinese fans singing all the words to their songs. Also checked out The Roots a few months ago on my last visit to Shanghai. Beyonce, Eric Clapton, Sonic Youth have all played here in recent time. This is what brings me to Shanghai. I've had some success here performance wise and now I'm securing developments for my career in China.

Back in the PRC....

2007-11-14T10:37:00.000-06:00

In Shanghai now. Arrived here about 10 days ago. Will stay in China for the next 2 1/2 months. Will begin recording sessions next month. Today I met with my good friend Yang Xie. Yang has done alot of work in the film & television industry mostly as a producer and director. His father, Xie Jin, is also a very well known and respected film director.

In the coming weeks, I'll brush-up on my Mandarin and continue to work on new material for my new CD. There's plenty of inspiration here with lots of time for working on musical ideas....

Distant Shores

2007-10-28T06:52:00.000-05:00

Just posted my new Single "Distant Shores" to MySpace. Give it a listen!

The Soul of Chango Jackson

2007-09-08T15:10:00.000-05:00

Read this bulletin on MySpace last night as posted by my bro's Chango Jackson...the greatest Latin Rock band in history:

As most of you have probably figured out by now, Chango Jackson is no more. I thought it would be fair to everybody to give an "official" notice, so there is no doubt. I know I've been getting a lot of questions about when we are playing again and so on.

We played our last show in February 2007, in Galveston at Mardi Gras. More than likely, there will be no more shows, at least in the form everyone is used to seeing us in. Chango Jackson MAY reappear someday, in some form, but what you have seen will never be again. But thats OK. Let me explain.

The whole concept of Chango Jackson was, hit fast, hit hard, make some noise, and burn out and disappear. At least originally. We never wanted to be the Rolling Stones, playing 60 freakin' year from now! We envisioned Chango Jackson more like the Sex Pistols. Stir up the scene for a few years, and go away, leaving a legacy. We never wanted to be the local band that wouldn't go away. The running joke. The band that you see playing Fitzgerald's ever month for years and years. I could name band names, but most of you know who they are.

To the fans that supported us and wanted more, we're sorry. Jam the CD's, loud. Remember the good times.

To the local bands who gleefully celebrated when they heard the news that we are not playing anymore, we did what we came to do, and we achieved more than some bands can only dream about. How many of you have had your picture in Rolling Stone magazine? How many of you have looked off the stage, out into a crowd of several thousand screaming people? What you are celebrating is what we wanted, and what should have happened long ago.

Anyway, for any body wondering, most members are still playing, you just have to find them. There is lots of good music out there, and lots of talented and creative people making it.

Sincerely,
CJ

"Max Roach.. a peerless master." 1924 - 2007

2007-08-16T15:59:00.000-05:00

In 1998 I travelled to New York for four days as manager for Chango Jackson (then Moscas). Moises Alanis, a singer/guitarist with the band (and good friend), suggested we check out legendary drummer Max Roach at the Blue Note on one of our nights off. This was one of the most magical shows I've ever seen. Max played a four piece drumset accompanied by five-piece horn section - this was the complete band for the evening! Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet Max after the show. Still have my signed program and photo with him.

Max passed away today after a long illness. He'll be missed, but his spirit will live forever.

In a 1988 essay in The New York Times, Wynton Marsalis wrote of Roach: "All great instrumentalists have a superior quality of sound, and his is one of the marvels of contemporary music. ... The roundness and nobility of sound on the drums and the clarity and precision of the cymbals distinguishes Max Roach as a peerless master."

Life's bouquet.

2007-07-26T14:59:00.012-05:00

"Spiritual life is the bouquet, the perfume, the flowering and fulfillment of a human life, not a supernatural virtue imposed on it." - Joseph Campbell

Out of Africa

2007-07-18T13:24:00.000-05:00

Check out the latest news on our origin:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3389924&page=1

National Anthem

2007-07-07T15:42:00.000-05:00

When I was 14 I saw Marvin Gaye sing the National Anthem on television. It was the NBA All Star game and was one of the most soulful and original performances ever. Have a look:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

The Zone

2007-05-17T14:13:00.000-05:00

McFerrin operates in "the zone" – that Zen-like state where musicians produce perfect art with seemingly no effort. It’s as if their bodies provide a conduit for a creative spirit that seems beyond the realm of mere mortals..."

- press quote on Bobby McFerrin's return to the stage.

Last night in Shanghai

2007-05-02T13:51:00.001-05:00

I leave Shanghai tomorrow afternoon. This will have been my longest stay in China thus far - one month. I've been to China three times before, but only for two-week stays. My visit was
great and amazing this time around. Met some wonderful people and had some great musical experiences

What you won't find in China: fortune cookies & wikepedia.com (censored)

Found out today there are 5,000 skyscapers in Shanghai. Not surprising considering it's a city of 12,000,000.

Nanjing Road

2007-04-14T05:46:00.001-05:00

Had a great concert a couple of nights ago in Shanghai. The show was at the Childrens Library Hall, a facility built and donated to the city by Madame Sun Yat Sen. The library housed a really nice recording studio and performance hall. For some reason I was reminded of Abbey Road Studios, though I've never been. There were about 400 in attendance. Not bad considering this concert was organized with only 9 days notice. Sold all of my cd's before my perfomance started. Great! I've extended my stay in China thru May 3rd. Will chill in Shanghai a few more days then venture off to some other cities.

Shanghai

2007-04-08T20:59:00.000-05:00

Sitting in a smoky internet cafe. I arrived in Shanghai a week ago and will stay until the 16th. Last Friday I performed and gave a talk at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and will give another performance and talk this Wednesday hosted by the Shanghai Guitar Art Association. If you've never been to China, it's quite a fascinating country. I have quams with the country's strict laws, but overall this is a country I'd like to visit over and over again. Will post some pics upon my return home.

Nobleness

2007-03-27T15:24:00.000-05:00

'The highest and most excellent thing in man is formless, and we should guard against giving it shape in anything less than noble dress." -- Goethe

Wisdom

2007-02-20T13:00:00.000-06:00

"Play any note you wish, providing only that this is the right note."
--Robert Fripp, founding member of King Crimson

Sounds of Soul

2007-01-25T16:33:00.000-06:00

I've just read a Russian review of my cd from Audio Find. The review is entitled Sounds of Soul. It's the first foreign review of my cd i've read. I thought it was an interesting translation into English - a few grammatical errors, but hey, any press is good press:)

"It is said that by means of the sounds of the guitar it is possible to make unforgettable travel. How to make it you can understand listening to Ricardo Sweat Rodriguez, the inhabitant of the USA with the Latin American roots, who reveals beautiful sounds by the means of his guitar and reflects in his music all about what it is spoken in the title of the tracks. It is possible absolutely precisely and in details to imagine mountains, and the caravan, and the palace of a bishop, and a wave, and the woman from Salvador that goes somewhere shaking her hips, and to fall asleep under a lullaby, and to get on the streets of Mexico, and to meet spirits flying somewhere. If you ask the musician, that apart from creating music also has time to work in his own recording company and agency that organizes concerts, how he characterizes his music it is possible to hear only that his style refers to a fashionable word-combination «acoustic fusion». Probably, this description is the exact to reflect his style that is not suitable for any existing category: so different directions are combined in the music of the guitarist. It is fusion, the mixture of various styles so masterly executed by an acoustic guitar. Rodriguez, refusing from lyrics and words on the plate, gives the listener full freedom of imagination. It is necessary to close your eyes and imagine those feelings which the guitar music so full of expression is capable to waken."

Omeros the epic.

2007-01-19T02:55:00.000-06:00

Occasionally I'm asked about the name Omeros and why I chose it as my company name. It's Greek for Homer and is the title of an epic poem by Derek Walcott. I attended a lecture given by Walcott in 2000. I'll never forget one of his lines - "Don't fuck with my poetry." When I was deciding on a company name, I'd written a list of 30. I glanced up at my bookshelf and saw Omeros, added it to the list...and voila.

"And that was where I had come from. Pride in my craft.
Elevating myself. I slid, and kept falling

towards the shit they stewed in; all the poets laughed,
jeering with dripping fingers; then Omeros gripped
my hand in enclosing marble and his strength moved

me away from that crowd, or else i might have slipped
to that backbiting circle, mockers and self-loved."

Inspiration

2006-12-15T13:57:00.000-06:00

I teach and they run away.
I listen and they come.
My strength is my silence.

--Akiane

New music video.

2006-12-05T13:20:00.000-06:00

"Broadcast: solo guitar" now posted

Seeking hospitable planets.

2006-12-01T14:27:00.000-06:00

Hawking: Humans must colonize other planets

The Kids Are Alright

2006-11-22T14:48:00.000-06:00

Checked out The Who in concert over the weekend. Spectacular show. I saw them a few years ago with John Entwistle about a year before he passed. When the band was not on tour, Entwistle would play small clubs with his own band. He played at a venue in Houston I was working at called Rockefeller's. Club capacity was at 400 and here was the bass player of a band that held the record as loudest in the world. The show was so loud that half the patrons walked out and saw (and heard) the concert thru glass doors from the outside. Now that's rock-n-roll.

Pure energy.

2006-10-21T17:06:00.000-05:00

"What is your body made of? Tissues and organs. What are tissues and organs made of? Cells. What are cells made of? Molecules. What are molecules made of? Atoms. What are atoms made of? Sub- atomic particles. What are subatomic particles made of? Energy? No. They are not made of energy; they are energy. You are one big "chunk" of energy. And so is everything else."

--The Secret

"Freedom doesn't equal rebellion."

2006-10-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

Over the weekend I met and conversed with renown opera singer Ana Maria Martinez. I'm currently acting in Mozart's opera Don Giovanni - in which she is starring. I've long been a fan of her voice so it's been really fantastic listening to her in rehearsals. She signed a cd for me and I presented her with mine. As it turns out she's a fan of solo guitar! She was telling me about the latest Sharon Isbin cd she bought and how she wanted to acquire more guitar music. I asked her about an excerpt from the book Latino Wisdom in which she contributed details of her musical upbringing, career and inspiration. She initially rebelled against opera as a career since her mother was an opera singer. What changed her mind was a quote from a book given to her by her father. That book was by renown psychoanalyst Rollo May. In it she read "Freedom doesn't equal rebellion". She said that phrase caused her to rethink her own rebellion and become more open to opera. She's now considered one of the world's top sopranos.

Free Hugs

2006-10-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

Rec'd this really cool video clip from my friend Jeryl Appleby:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4&NR

The gig, Oct. 7th

2006-09-28T15:59:00.000-05:00

Inspiration

2006-09-13T15:06:00.000-05:00

"Don't gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold."

--Bob Marley

Reiki in the Hill Country

2006-09-08T16:22:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I attended a Reiki retreat in the Texas Hill Country. Really quite nice and relaxing. I've been involved with Reiki for nearly a year now and constantly find myself channeling light energy throughout the day. Also played some guitar for my friends at the retreat. Looking forward to more of these getaways.

Gotta gig coming up on the Oct. 7th as well as a film premier featuring my music.

Zoetrope

2006-08-23T12:34:00.000-05:00

Just joined Francis Coppola's Zoetrope.com - a great site and collaboration tool for filmmakers, composers & writers — "a community where artists can submit and workshop original work." Lately, maybe because i've just shot my music video, filmaking has become more of an interest.

The Shoot

2006-08-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

Shot four songs for video last Thursday. Mark Larsen with the Artery here in Houston was directing the shoot. I felt quite at ease during the session. We used 2 cameras. I would have preferred using three, though. I'll take a look at some of the footage and perhaps decide to re-shoot using three cameras. The setting was simple - small stage with curtains & lighting - filming solo guitar music. I'm considering throwing in some animation or scenic stuff to add more artistic flavor...we'll see.

Now working on performance itinerary for the Fall and beyond.

Noteborn, Cohen & video shoot

2006-07-29T16:22:00.000-05:00

Just penned a couple of contracts earlier in the week - one with Noteborn Music for film & television licensing and another for scoring a local film documentary on latino culture in Houston. Ultimatley, I'd like to have my music scored for a major motion picture (and who wouldn't). In recent time the guitar has been the featured instrument in big budget films - The Motorcycle Diaries, Serenity, Brokeback Mountain, etc. I think it would be great to have a film feature the great guitarists of America...

Also checked out "Leonard Cohen: Im Your Man" recently. A fantastic film. I actually was quite unfamiliar with his music & poetry yet was completely taken aback by his gift with words. He's one the most important poets of our day and has a legion of fans including U2, Beth Orton, Perla Batalla, etc., all of whom were among those featured performing his music in the film.

I'll be filming my video for broadcast in China in early August. Probably just two or three songs. Will post on the website once completed. Keep a look out for upcoming concert announcements.

Because it's there...

2006-06-29T14:19:00.000-05:00

Check out this video clip from one of my greatest musical inspirations:

Michael Hedges

China & the Global Climate

2006-06-10T22:25:00.000-05:00

I attended a lecture by Al Gore a few nights ago. He's touring promoting his new film "An Inconvenient Truth". Global warming is a very real and great threat to our civilization as this film points out. Our way of living has really brought upon us severe consequences to say the least. We must each look for ways we can contribute to a more sustainable future. Visit - ClimateCrisis.net

In recent weeks I've been trying to set up a television performance in China. I rec'd the OK to perform on CCTV, however I was asked to stay in China for at least 2-4 months. CCTV would not handle booking concerts, but would allow me to appear on television if I've got a tour set up. They did agree to air a video though - so now I'm working on getting a video together this summer and will work on setting up a China tour thereafter.

inspiration

2006-06-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

you are the essence of that which breathed life into your body
--conversations with god

cgtrio & new cd...

2006-06-01T13:23:00.000-05:00

I recently checked out the California Guitar Trio in concert. One of my all time favorite guitar groups. Chatted with Burt Lams of the Trio after the gig and discussed the possibility of doing some shows together - just Bert and myself. He's got a solo cd out - Bach preludes on steel string guitar. Burt's from Belgium and I first met him while attending a guitar workshop he conducted in Cuernavaca, Mexico in 2004. Hope we'll do some shows together sooner than later.

These days i'm putting musical ideas together for a new cd. It'll probably comprise mostly of guitar duets with friends and maybe just one or two solo pieces.

Wind Cries Mary

2006-05-16T01:53:00.000-05:00

My good friend Michael Kent Smith has been in Houston these last few days and I've been showing him around. He's from Chicago and is touring thru the sourthern states. We met while performing at the Zihuatanejo Intl. Guitar Festival (Mexico) in March. He's a fantastic guitarist and it's been great having him in Houston. We had a gig at a church in Rosenberg, Texas on Sunday evening - very well rec'd. We plan on doing some recording later today. We'll also perform this Wednesday with Kelly Lancaster at a wine bar nearby.

Had an opportunity to check out Jamie Cullum last night as well. He's a fantastic new artist on the scene. He plays piano and tours with his band. If you see his show announcements in your city, I highly recommend checking him out. One of the highlights of his set was "Wind Cries Mary" by Hendrix!

Zihua Fotos

2006-04-11T18:15:00.000-05:00

Just posted some fotos from Zihua to flickr. Check'em out!

Purple Flower/Zocalo

2006-04-03T20:15:00.000-05:00

Extended my stay in Zihuatanejo. Be back in Houston on April 6th. The Z-Guitar Fest has so far been my greatest musical experience to date. So many fantastic artists. Last night was the closing concert in the public square - Zocalo. Probably at least 1000 in attendance. Instumental music was featured, however singer/songwriter Stephanie Hardy was also on the bill and enchanted the crowd with her beautiful vocals.

Pearl Jam was in Zihua after performing in Mexico City. They´re fans of guitarist Jocelyn Celaya. Great to see her perform throughout the festival.

Learned today that Zihua in Mandarin means Purple Flower.

Z Guitar Fest

2006-03-31T10:43:00.000-06:00

HAVING A BLAST IN ZIHUATANEJO, MEXICO. THE GUITAR FESTIVAL HAS HAD ALOT OF GREAT HIGHLIGHTS. ABOUT 22-24 GUITARISTS PERFORMING AT VARIOUS VENUES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. CHECKED OUT GUITARIST LEE BARBOUR LAST NIGHT AT LA CALA. LEE'S SET WAS STRONG AND COUDN'T HAVE BEEN IN A MORE SPECTACULAR SETTING. I'VE TWO PERFORMANCES LEFT THIS WEEKEND. SHARING THE STAGE WITH SOME OF THE MOST FANTASTIC MUSICIANS I'VE EVER HEARD.

Nitza Delirium

2006-03-14T22:56:00.000-06:00

Checked out Cirque du Soleil's Delirium over the weekend. A fantastic show. Featured remixes of Cirque music from previous productions. The musicians were especially featured. Seems any and all of Cirque du Soleil's music is quite magical. Always gives me a sense of....the greatness of music.

Nitza opened the show. Had a chance to chat with her after her performance. She'll have a new CD out soon. Can't wait. She can currently be heard on Cirque's 'KA' cd. Also chatted with her guitarist, Predrag. We talked about guitars a bit and discovered we shared an interest in the music of Alan Holdsworth.