rafael Rosa
music
Axiomatic: Music for the People
rafael rosa
Rafael has established himself as a premier guitarist and composer since his arrival in NYC in 2010. He has received rave reviews on his playing as a sideman with Tony Award Winning Singer Luba Mason and her project Mixtura, The Prince Of Bollywood Jeffrey Iqbal & Unity Through Music, Cody Geil’s Bon Musique, Night Of The Living Funk, Ben Rosenblum’s Nebula Project amongst others performing at renowned venues such as the Blue Note Jazz Club, ShapeShifter Lab, DROM, Shrine World Music, The Bitter End, The Rainbow Room, The Metropolitan Room, 54 Below, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club, The 55 Bar, The Edison Ballroom and Bowery Electric, Small's etc...
Rafael is an accomplished composer. His debut as a leader “Portrait” (2014) was co-produced by Multi-Grammy Award Winning Bassist/Composer John Benitez and was awarded 4 stars from both international and local publications. “Portrait” features an incredible cast of master musicians bringing together Puerto Rico’s Bomba and Plena rhythms, Jazz harmony, and rock’s aggressive nature to form a unique and original canvas of sound beyond the normal clave. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rafael taught himself the guitar at age 14. During his time in Puerto Rico, he performed and recorded with local greats there such as Eric Figueroa(Batacumbele), Ramon Vazquez(Bakere), Edmar Colon, Jonathan Suazo, Felipe Fournier and his band [menos es mas], who was nominated for Best Jazz Album from ACAM with their self titled album, performing in Festivals all throughout the island.
Rafael has been teaching for the past 11 years in Brooklyn. He is currently part of the Faculty at LIU's ROCNATION, and has taught at other colleges like NYU, CUNY, Saint John’s University, The Brooklyn Music School, Stevens Cooperative and his private studio: The Brooklyn Rock Academy, helping students graduate to colleges like Berklee College of Music, Wells College, Indiana University, etc. He regularly performs in NYC as a sideman and as a leader so be sure to check the calendar. He is currently putting the finishing touches on his second album as a leader titled “Axiomatic: Music For The People” set to be released early 2022.