Rico Rodriguez

Rico Rodriguez is a Jamaican trombonist associated with ska, reggae, jazz, ska jazz and dub. Born in Havana in 1934, he moves to Jamaica as a child and grows up in Kingston. He is also known as Emmanuel “Rico” Rodriguez, and uses the shorter names Rico, Reco and El Reco.

Early life and musical training

Rodriguez studies at the Alpha Boys School, where his schoolmate Don Drummond teaches him the trombone. In the 1950s he becomes a Rastafarian and develops a close musical association with Count Ossie, the rasta drummer. These early connections place him at the centre of Jamaica’s developing ska and reggae scenes.

Career in Jamaica, Britain and the ska revival

Rodriguez records with a number of producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster and Lloyd “Matador” Daley. He is regarded as one of the first and most distinguished ska performers. From the early 1960s he performs and records in Britain, and in 1961 he moves to the UK, where he starts playing in reggae bands.

During the late 1970s, when 2 Tone emerges, he works with ska revival groups such as The Specials and appears on their single “A Message to You, Rudy”. He also performs in Britain with Jools Holland, Paul Young and others. His listed band affiliations include Rico’s Combo, Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, The Specials, The Duke Reid Group, Kenneth Richards & His Harmonisers, Rico & The Rudies, Reco’s Rhythm Group and the Rico Rodriguez Blues Band.

Recordings and releases

In 1976, under contract to Island Records, Rodriguez records Man from Wareika. He forms Rico and the Rudies and records the albums Blow Your Horn and Brixton Cat. In 1995, Island Records releases Roots to the Bone, an updated version of Man from Wareika.

Later work and recognition

From 1996, Rodriguez performs with Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and also appears at ska festivals across Europe with his own band. He retires from performing with Jools Holland in 2012. In 2007 he receives an MBE for services to music, and later in 2012 the Institute of Jamaica awards him the Silver Musgrave Medal for his contribution to Jamaican music. Rodriguez dies in 2015.