# Willy Rodriguez
Willy Rodriguez (also credited as Willy Rodriguez Quiñones) is a Puerto Rican drummer, percussionist, and bandleader based in New York City, a Latin Grammy winner for his work on [Mon Laferte](https://www.edgepedia.org/mon-laferte)'s album *Norma* (2018) and the in-studio drummer for the progressive rock band [The Mars Volta](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-mars-volta) on their 2022 self-titled reunion album and its 2025 follow-up.[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) • [2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) Born in [Ponce, Puerto Rico](https://www.edgepedia.org/ponce-puerto-rico), he works across avant-garde jazz, Latin jazz, post-bop, and Afro-Cuban jazz, and leads his own projects as well as the Latin ensemble 427 Flavah Factory.[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identity | Puerto Rican drummer and percussionist, born in Ponce, based in New York City; credited as Willy Rodriguez and as Willy Rodriguez Quiñones[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) • [3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) |
| Signature sideman work | Mon Laferte's *Norma* (2018, Latin Grammy); The Mars Volta's self-titled reunion album (2022) and *Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío* (2025)[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) |
| Leader debut | *Seeing Sounds*, released 29 March 2024 on Outside in Music, with Jason Palmer, Hery Paz, Leo Genovese, John Hébert, Kenneth Jiménez, and guest Dave Liebman[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) |
| Latest album | *In The Unknown (I Will Find You)*, released 13 March 2026 on Sunnyside Records, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio[5](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/) • [6](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/in-the-unknown) |
| Training | Escuela Libre de Música in Ponce; Berklee scholarship (2007); master's in Jazz Drum Performance, New England Conservatory (2014)[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) • [2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) |
| Styles | Avant-Garde Jazz, Latin Jazz, Post-Bop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Latin Pop, Global Jazz (AllMusic classification)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) |
| Own ensemble | 427 Flavah Factory, a Latin ensemble[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) |
## Identification and names
The subject is the Puerto Rican-born, New York-based drummer and percussionist Willy Rodriguez, a Latin Grammy winner.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) • [1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) Sunnyside Records, his label since 2025, credits him as Willy Rodriguez Quiñones, and the Puerto Rican cultural press prints his name with the accent as Willy Rodríguez.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) • [3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/)
## Early life and musical formation
Rodriguez was born in Ponce and studied at that city's Escuela Libre de Música, a specialized music school.[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) He began playing drums at 13.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) At 21 he became musical director and drummer for the touring band of *Latin American Idol*, the regional television singing competition.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1)
His formal training continued in the United States. After studying at the Universidad de San Germán with the drummer Héctor Matos, he attended a [Berklee College of Music](https://www.edgepedia.org/berklee-college-of-music) camp, received a scholarship, and joined Berklee in 2007.[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) In Boston he studied with Terri-Lyne Carrington, Yoron Israel, and Ralph Peterson, Jr., and earned a master's degree in Jazz Drum Performance from the New England Conservatory in 2014.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) His first recording session came with the Francesco Marcocci Quintet on the album *Folklorico*, released in 2014.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1)
## Career and collaborations
**Boston and jazz sideman work.** In Boston, Rodriguez became a fixture at Wally's Jazz Club, where trumpeter Jason Palmer held a steady concert slot and Rodriguez often directed the jam sessions that preceded Palmer's sets.[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) He recorded with the saxophonist Dave Liebman on the album *Ceremony* (2014).[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) He also leads the Latin ensemble 427 Flavah Factory.[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
**Mon Laferte.** The pianist Leo Genovese connected him with the Chilean singer Mon Laferte, and in 2018 he played drums on her album *Norma*, recorded live at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) • [1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) He toured the world with Laferte and received a Latin Grammy for his contribution to the recording.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) The Puerto Rican press notes that the album itself won the 2019 Latin Grammy for best alternative music album.[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/)
**The Mars Volta.** In 2022 Rodriguez won the drum chair in The Mars Volta in time for their self-titled reunion album.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) He returned for the band's ninth studio album, *Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío*, released in 2025.[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
## Discography and notable recordings
- *Folklorico*, Francesco Marcocci Quintet (2014), his first recording session[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1)
- *Ceremony*, with Dave Liebman (2014)[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
- *Norma*, Mon Laferte (2018), recorded live at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
- *The Mars Volta*, The Mars Volta (2022), as in-studio drummer[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
- *Seeing Sounds*, leader debut, Outside in Music (29 March 2024)[3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569)
- *Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío*, The Mars Volta (2025)[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
- *In The Unknown (I Will Find You)*, Sunnyside Records (13 March 2026)[5](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/)
*Seeing Sounds* cut across modern classical music, Latin, and vanguard jazz, and its personnel included Palmer, Paz, Genovese, Hébert, Jiménez, and the guest saxophonist Liebman.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1) • [3](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/) For *In The Unknown (I Will Find You)*, recorded at the Rudy Van Gelder Studio, he led a bassless trio with the saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and Genovese on piano and Rhodes, with spoken-word contributions from Allan Harris; the album explores loss, memory, and spiritual connection.[5](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/) • [6](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/in-the-unknown) • [4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) Sunnyside's Bandcamp page for the album also notes his joining the drum chair of the progressive rock ensemble for their reunion.[7](https://sunnysiderecords.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you)
## Style and reception
AllMusic classifies his work under Avant-Garde Jazz, Latin Jazz, Post-Bop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Latin Pop, and Global Jazz, a range reflecting a career split between the New York jazz scene and Latin popular music.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) The album was reviewed by DownBeat Magazine, Making A Scene!, That Canadian Magazine, and The New York City Jazz Record.[1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
## What has changed since 2023
His leader debut *Seeing Sounds* appeared in March 2024 on Outside in Music.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) In 2025 he signed with Sunnyside Communications and appeared on The Mars Volta's *Lucro sucio; Los ojos del vacío*.[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569) • [1](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788) *In The Unknown (I Will Find You)* followed on Sunnyside on 13 March 2026.[5](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/) In a 2026 interview he reported recording another album, a concert at Smalls in New York with his group on 8 May, and ongoing work with the trombonist Juanga Lakunza.[5](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/) He is endorsed by Big Fat Snare Drum.[2](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1)
## References
1. [Willy Rodriguez | Sunnyside Records](https://www.sunnysiderecords.com/site/artist?id=788)
2. [About — Willy Rodriguez (official bio by Thom Jurek, AllMusic)](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/about-1)
3. [Libertad vanguardista de Willy Rodríguez — Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular](https://prpop.org/2024/02/libertad-vanguardista-de-willy-rodriguez/)
4. [Willy Rodriguez — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews | AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/willy-rodriguez-mn0000845569)
5. [Mondays with Morgan: Willy Rodriguez – new album ‘In The Unknown (I Will Find You)’ — UK Jazz News](https://ukjazznews.com/mondays-with-morgan-willy-rodriguez-new-album-in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you/)
6. [In The Unknown... | Willy Rodriguez (official page)](https://willyrodriguezmusic.com/in-the-unknown)
7. [In The Unknown (I Will Find You) | Willy Rodriguez | Sunnyside Records (Bandcamp)](https://sunnysiderecords.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-unknown-i-will-find-you)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Rock, metal, and popular-band musicians › Progressive and art rock › Contemporary experimental rock musicians*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 11, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license