Rico Rodriguez
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Emmanuel Rodriguez (Rico, Reco, El Reco) (born 17 October 1934 in Kingston, Jamaica) was the undisputed best trombonist of early Jamaican music.
[edit] Life and career
He was taught to play the trombone by his slightly older fellow pupil Don Drummond at the Alpha School for boys in Jamaica, which was run by nuns. Drummond went on to become Jamaica's greatest ska trombonist. In the 1950s, Rodriguez became a rasta and became closely musically related to rasta drummer Count Ossie. He recorded with many record producers including Prince Buster and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley.
In 1961, Rodriguez moved to the UK. He continued to play in reggae bands in England. In 1976 Rico recorded under contract with Island Records his most important album, Man From Wareika.
In the late 1970s, with the arrival of Two Tone, he played with Two Tone bands like The Specials. One of his most memorable performances was on the Specials' "A Message to You, Rudy".
Since 1996, amongst other engagements, he has been playing with Jools Holland's Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.
