Nina Rodriguez

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Nina Rodriguez is representative of the versatile contemporary percussionist. She knows the traditional Afro-Cuban and world rhythms but she is versatile enough to fit into a Randy Travis country session. A Toca artist, she mobilizes her percussion skills for live music, studio recording, and extra-curricular activities that employ percussion to lift the spirit. Accordingly, Nina Rodriguez serves as West Coast Musical Director of Drum Café, a percussion group seeking to enhance energy, health, social harmony and cultural awareness through drumming. She leads Drum Café in performances for the public and for corporate team building initiatives. Nina trains members in performance, writes and arranges music, and customizes performances per client. In addition, Nina Rodriguez is a facilitator for KIDS drumming events.

Nina grew up in a musical family, greatly influenced by her grandfather, Henry "Papa" Garcia, a renowned band leader. She has been playing percussion for as long as she can remember. Looking back, she recalls the incredible thrill she experienced when listening to Santana, Armando Manzanero, and Sergio Mendes/Brazil 66. These bands, with their popular appeal, relaxed musical boundaries, and strong charisma helped shape Nina's approach to percussion and to entertainment. Add to the mix Nina's early encounters with Motown, soul and R & B; all figure in her career.

She did studio tracks for Randy Travis' Grammy-winning album Rise and Shine, arranged and recorded djembe parts for Bette Midler, toured with the Jewish Latino musician Yehuda Glantz, and tracked with a number of gospel, Latin, jazz, country and rock musicians.

Nina Rodriguez uses Toca congas, bongos, cajons, djembes, and various other hand percussion instruments. She's also a force to be reckoned with on drumset. Call her versatile -- call her for your recording session!

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