Bliss Rodriguez Trio


Pianist Bliss Rodriguez began his professional career playing with guitarist and singer Jose Feliciano while still in high school. He went on to study with jazz pedagogue John Mehegan and pianist Lenny Tristano, as well as completing music degrees at Mannes College of Music and Harpur College.

In the 60's and 70's he worked regularly in New York City, both as solo pianist, and as accompanist to many singers, such as Roseanne Vitro. Since moving to San Francisco in 1986 he has continued to work with singers like Laurie Antonioli, Sherri Roberts and Robin Gregory, as well as instrumentalists such as trumpeter Graham Bruce, and to perform solo piano. In 2001, he toured Japan for 3 months with singer Tressa Lewis. In 2013 he recorded "Lovely Days" with Sherri Roberts.

He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Ron Crotty, Sherri Roberts, and solo.

All of which only hints at the superb touch, extraordinary harmonic imagination, and architectural brilliance of his playing. Bliss is the Bay Area's best kept pianistic secret. Don't miss this opportunity.


Bassist Chris Amberger is a Berklee School of Music graduate.

He has toured and recorded with many of the greats in jazz including Tommy Dorsey, George Shearing, Rosemary Clooney, Red Garland, and Art Blakey.

He has backed top vocalists such as Ernestine Anderson, Lorez Alexandria, Ernie Andrews, Sammy Davis Jr, Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Anita O'Day, Marlena Shaw, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson, Eddie Jefferson, Jimmy Witherspoon, and T.Bone Walker.

His instrumental cohorts have included Stan Kenton, Jaki Byard, George Cables, Dorothy Donnegan, Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler, Charlie Persip, Donald Bailey, Akira Tana, Herb Ellis, Gabor Szabo, Barney Kessel, John Scofield, Art Pepper, Joe Henderson, Sam Rivers, Dexter Gordon, Charles Lloyd, Sonny Stitt, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Dorham, Doc Cheatham, Woody Shaw, and Bobby Hutcherson.

He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with Charlie McCarthy, Dave Rocha, Grant Levin, and his own ensembles.


Drummer Akira Tana has worked with Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Zoot Sims, Hubert Laws, Milt Jackson, Jim Hall, Art Farmer, Tete Montoliu, Paul Winter, Paquito D'Rivera, James Moody, J.J. Johnson, Lena Horne, the Heath Brothers, and Manhattan Transfer. He has appeared on over 150 recordings.

Tana co-led a quintet with bassist Rufus Reid, called TanaReid, which released five CDs. A further five CDs followed with his own bands, Otonowa, and The Secret Agent Men Band.

Akira appeared here previously with Larry Vuckovich, Jerome Sabbagh, Jon Mayer, Knucklebean, Tim Armacost/David Berkman, and Michael Zilber.

http://www.akiratana.com/


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