Nationality : Brazil
Rodrigo Rios was born on 1979, in Minas Gerais, Brazil. His first encounter with music was at 4 years of age, when he was given his first guitar. He took to the instrument so naturally that it has integrated his daily life ever since. At age thirteen, Rodrigo had his first exposure to the drums, and the same occurred. In his quest for musical advancement, Rios studied with renowned Brazilian drummers such as Carlos Bala and Marcio Bahia in Rio de Janeiro, and internationally-acclaimed drummers, Gregg Field, Joe Porcaro and John JR Robinson in Los Angeles. Rios also study at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Rios focus lies on specific musical styles such as Pop, Jazz , R&B and Brazilian Popular Music, which has led to his performing alongside distinguished music artists in Brazil of the genre, including Isabella Taviani, Tulio Mourão, Wilson Sideral, Tavito, Vander Lee, Anthonio, Marcelo Elias, Rafael Martini, Beto Lopes and others. In 2008, Rios started his career as a record and music producer. In the same year he created, developed, as well as performed in, the Bossa Nossa Singing History project, a tribute to 50 years of Bossa Nova. After his first production, Rios produced many other projects.
Rios is living in Los Angeles and he has worked as record producer and/or drummer with some Internationally-acclaimed singers/musicians such as Dionne Warwick, Monica Mancini, Patti Austin, Renee Olstead, Lee Ritenour, David Elliott, Chris Walden, Gregg Field, Lorraine Feather, Arnold McCuller, Michael Grimm, Jim Cox, Abraham Laboriel Sir., Leland Sklar, Larry Goldings, Cheche Alara, Michael Thompson, Luis Conte, George Doering, John Beasley, Russell Ferrante, Tom Scott, Dan Higgins, Dan Fornero, Wayne Bergeron, Mb Gordy, Tariqh Akoni, Jamie Mitges and the Dream Trackers, Lenny Castro, Tim May, Kevin Axt, Nick Lane, Bill Bergman, Ed Berghoff, Amy Keys, Sandy Stein, Robin Swenson, Bruce Atkinson, Milton Nelson, Randy Jacobs, Kathy Paris, Mark Campbell and many others. In 2012, the single Life’s Joy and Celebration (Jamie Mitges and The Dream Trackers – Feat. Patti Austin) that Rios produced and played drums, reached #10 at Billboard Hot Single Sales. Rodrigo is keeping busy in Los Angeles as a producer and as a drummer. Recently, Rios started to produce and play for some TV channels.