Multi-instrumentalist and genre insurgent Julius Rodriguez’s Thursday performance at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center turned jazz on its head — and it started with a keytar.
With its intimate setup and deep blue lighting, the scene had the usual jazz concert ambience — until Rodriguez made an impression, opening his set with a keyboard-guitar hybrid, an ‘80s synthpop relic that’s an uncommon choice for the genre.
Nicknamed Orange Julius, Rodriguez refuses to confine himself to one genre, borrowing elements from jazz, blues, hip-hop and electronic dance music. At just 26, he’s more focused on creating honest music rather than conforming to labels.
“[The] first thing I want people to know about me as a musician is I like to play music that is honest and relates to the human experience as opposed to picking a specific type of music or type of genre,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez, hailed as a prodigy of the music scene by NPR and The New York Times, released his second album Evergreen, in June 2024. He’s collaborated with artists such as A$AP Rocky, Blood Orange and Remi Wolf, and performed for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert last July.
Rodriguez performed alongside saxophonist Emilio Modeste, bassist Jeremiah Edwards and drummer Miguel Russell for the night. His instrumental set featured his discography alongside a few cover songs.
He opened with “Mission Statement” from Evergreen, a groovy blend of synth-wave and jazz. Rodriguez moved seamlessly around the stage, shifting from keytar to piano as he and Modeste traded riffs, each picking up where the other left off. The musicians flowed effortlessly between passionate, flashy segments and slow, serene moments on a whim.
[Interactive elements, impactful performances shine in Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem]
Rodriguez thrives on the spontaneity and improvisation of live performance, feeding off both the ensemble and the audience.
“Of course, we improvise [and] we do things differently,” Rodriguez said. “But I like to base that improvisation off of the energy of the room and the people in there.”
Isaac Canel, a freshman jazz studies and philosophy, politics and economics major, found the musical language spoken between the group members thrilling to watch.
“There was a lot of misdirection, but there was also a lot of communication going around,” Canel said. “There was a part where [a musician] would hold up a hand sign and they would hit that many times, which was super cool.”
Rodriguez also paid tribute to jazz classics in his set. His mellow rendition of Herbie Hancock’s “Butterfly” calmly contrasted with the high-octane energy of the rest of the performance, offering a breather between the madness.
Jasper Parks, a sophomore journalism major, particularly enjoyed Rodriguez’s interpretation of Bob James’ “Nautilus,” especially with its revamped tempo and rhythm.
“I thought it was probably one of the better versions I’ve heard,” Parks said. “I love how they modulated the time signatures. I thought it was really creative.”
“Momentum,” which Rodriguez wrote for the 2023 anime Blue Giant, showcased the ensemble at its most frantic. Each had an extended solo: Russell pounded explosively on the drums, Rodriguez’s fingers glided across the piano and Modeste shredded the saxophone like an electric guitar.
[Meet ‘Pogo Stick Guy’: How Ajitesh Kaladi bounced his way to campus fame]
More than anything, Rodriguez hoped his music would deeply resonate with the audience.
“I hope audiences walk away from my performance feeling like they tapped into something within themselves,” Rodriguez said. “I want listeners to have their own personal and unique experience with the music … I want them to come to my show and say, ‘Oh wow I like this; this reminds me of this; this made me think of this for myself.’”
For Parks, the performance inspired him to continue exploring more of Rodriguez’s discography. Rodriguez’s high energy motivated Canel to “hit the shed” and keep honing his craft as a jazz musician, eager to chase that same creative spirit.
Rodriguez ultimately wants his listeners to carry this vivacity through every part of their life.
“[I hope] more people can hear this music and be inspired to open their minds, not just in music but in life, in the world … especially [during] these times,” Rodriguez said.
