Walter is an openly creative multidirectional drummer/percussionist. His richly eclectic and unique gift encompasses a plurality of styles--from rock to latin to world music--in a way that is extremely rare in a realm dominated usually by "doing-one-thing" specialists.
Combining powerful technique, uncanny sense of time, deep understanding of the essence of different cultural musical manifestations with a profound sense of stylistic appropriateness, Walter embodies -"The drummer/percussionist of the new century"- quoting his mentor Alex Acuña.
There are drummers, and there are percussionists. Very, very few of his generation have an equally flawless command at the Drum set, Latin percussion (from congas, to bongos/timbales), other World Music percussion (African, Brazilian, Afro-Uruguayan, and
Indian... among other), and Electronic percussion (both as a programmer/performer).
All of these are brought together and nurtured by a profound sense of purpose and meaning, defined by him as his "calling". Walter wants to dedicate his playing to JESUS CHRIST, "The One Whom every perfect gift comes from".
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Influences
My greatest inspiration on timbales.
Sounds Like
Danny Seraphine's CTA - California Transit Authority
Playing drums from a very early age, Walter Rodriguez, born in San Juan. P.R., played his first TV show at the age of seven. His father, top studio call on the island for over 20 years, was his first teacher and still his greatest inspiration. While playing side by side with his dad, he was surrounded by today's musical greats Alex Acuna and Giovanni Hidalgo; simultaneously enhancing his musical knowledge by studying piano and working as a sound engineer.
At the age of 22, Walter moved to Los Angeles to study at Musicians Institute of Technology, specifically the PIT (Percussion Institute of Technology) division. While getting involved in the local music scene, Walter and Alex Acuna connected, this time Alex taking Walter under his wing and becoming his spiritual and musical mentor.
Where others would concentrate on fewer options/activities as time passes-by, Walter is heading to broader, more musically challenging directions. He is not only dealing with harmonic and other relevant music-theory elements, but also opening an even bigger sonic "palette" by studying -yet- other World-Music percussion traditions, including the Australian didgeridoo [the oldest woodwind instrument ever] and the Indian tabla, to mention a few.
Walter's excellent musicianship is only a part of his appeal as player and performer. His innate charisma, adding warmth and flare to any stage, and his smile frequently pointed out, as "lighting up the whole world", are only surpassed by his sense of meaning and purpose. He defines the essence of his musical endeavor as two-fold: To shine for GOD Almighty in JESUS' Name, and to affect people in a positive way in a world desperately needing so.
Mi hermano como esta todo, gracias por escribir, aqui ando en la lucha, vamos a janguiar uno de estos dias........na mil abrazos cuidate ............SALUD
Hi Walter, Nice to hear from you, all is well here. How is the Family? If you get a chance. There is A Prayer Across The World that will be on 8-8-08, everyone praying at the same moment. 1:08am Los Angeles time. Please join from where ever you are at that moment.
Hi Walter, Nice to have you up on my page. Thanks for the add. My love to your family. I am very pleased to announce that Ming's Latest Cd "Angularity" is now available on iTunes iTunes USA iTunes Australia and New Zealand iTunes Canada Itunes UK/European Union iTunes Japan (Asia)
You can now download my songs for your iPod or favorite mp3 player. If you want the actual Cd of course you can order it from www. mingfreeman. com or find a link from www. aprayerforourplanet. com on the music page. Don't forget to grab your free gift from Ming at www. aprayerforourplanet. com it is on the music ordering page at the bottom / just click the download button and receive his gift to you " A Prayer For Our Planet Theme" it is meant to be played softly as is all of my resonant healing music Blessings and Light Ming Freeman
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