Tribute to Sal Cuevas

Faculty and students join to pay tribute to the great Puerto Rican bass innovator Sal Cuevas, performing music from Ray Barretto’s Rican/Struction with special guest Rubén Rodríguez.

Rodríguez was born in New York City and grew up in East Harlem and Puerto Rico. He has been recognized as one of the best and hardest-working Latin music bass players in the United States. Rodríguez, whose father played classical guitar, taught himself the bass in junior high, then spent some time under the tutelage of esteemed bassist Victor Venegas. 

Since getting his first break playing with Johnny Colon in 1979, he has worked with Grover Washington Jr., Roberta Flack, Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, and Machito. His exhaustive discography includes work with Marc Anthony, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentin, David Byrne, and Eddie Palmieri, just to name a few. Along with his producer/friend Sergio George, Rodríguez has been noted as revolutionizing the sound of contemporary popular salsa.