Return to accessibility navigation at the top of the page.

PCC Music Presents: The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo Celebrates 20 Years

October 24, 2012

  • What: Pima Community College Music Presents: Rodriguez & Keepe Duo Celebrates 20 Years
  • Where: PCC Center for the Arts Recital Hall, West Campus, 2202 W. Anklam Road. It's west of downtown and I-10 on St. Mary’s Road, which turns into Anklam Road.
  • When: Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.
  • Tickets: $6 with discounts available. Box office hours are Tuesdays-Fridays, noon to 5 p.m., and one hour prior to performance.
  • Box office: 520-206-6986, http://www.pima.edu/cfa

Tucson, AZ -- Pima Community College Music presents the Rodriguez & Keepe Duo featuring faculty Dr. Michael Keepe (saxophone) and Allen Rodriguez (piano) in a recital celebrating 20 years of performing together. The program highlights an eclectic selection of pieces performed over this time period including Mozart's “Rondo” in a minor for solo piano, world premieres of pieces written for the ensemble, and a funky, jazzy solo tenor saxophone piece titled “Beat Me” written by Barry Cockroft, one of Australia's leading contemporary composers.

For a number of years the Rodriguez & Keepe Duo has been working with well-known British composer Graham Lynch. His music is noted for its passion, energy and romance. The duo performs several of his pieces including “Alba” a tango for soprano saxophone and piano (which they premiered in 2007); the U.S. premiere of “In Arcadia” for alto saxophone and piano; and the world premiere of “Cutouts” for solo alto saxophone inspired by the cutout art of Henri Matisse. The art is projected for contemplation during the performance.

Rodriguez, a native of Oklahoma, has resided in Tucson since 1977.  He began studying piano at age seven and trumpet at twelve. Rodriguez was granted a full music scholarship to attend Southwestern State College in Oklahoma, where he was a double major in piano performance and instrumental music education/trumpet with a minor in voice.  He completed his undergraduate degree at Centenary College in Louisiana.  He studied piano with Dr. Robert Reynolds, James Dick, Lita Guerra and Dame Lili Kraus. While pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Arizona he studied with Ozan Marsh and Billie Erlings.  
 
Keepe teaches saxophone and music industry at Pima College. He performs locally with The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo, Arizona Opera, Tucson Symphony, and is the soprano chair and founding member of the Tucson based, and internationally acclaimed Presidio Saxophone Quartet. He is also the owner of Keepe Publishing House specializing in the promotion of new concert saxophone repertoire. Keepe received a doctorate in saxophone performance with a minor in music business at the University of Arizona. He is a performing artist and clinician for the Selmer Company and can be heard on the Albany, AUR, Coseismic and Nostalgie recording labels.

CONTACT:
Carol Carder, marketing/pr
2202 W. Anklam, Tucson, AZ 85709
520-206-3062
ccarder@pima.edu

Dr. Michael Keepe, music faculty
mkeepe@pima.edu