Julius Rodriguez has released his highly anticipated album Evergreen. His sophomore LP for Verve includes features from Keyon Harrold, Nate Mercereau, and Georgia Anne Muldrow.
“I kept seeing the word EVERGREEN everywhere,” Julius says of the album. “I looked up the definition, and it struck me. An ‘EVERGREEN’ is a plant whose foliage remains functional for all seasons. That’s similar to how I like to be; I want to be myself no matter the genre I’m playing or what’s going on around me. There are a lot of styles on this record, but it’s recognizably my voice.”
Julius’s solo debut, Let Sound Tell All, was hailed by NPR as “a project so dynamic that even the umbrella of jazz couldn’t quite contain its essence.” He has also lent his numerous talents to works by Carmen Lundy, Lackecia Benjamin, Baby Rose, Joe Farnsworth, Cautious Clay, and more.
Rodriguez, who relocated from his hometown of NYC to Los Angeles in 2022, made Evergreen in LA with producer Tim Anderson, whose previous credits include work with Solange, Halsey, and Billie Eilish. Evergreen is composed of new original works from Rodriguez, along with a cover of Dijon’s “Many Times.”
Rodriguez has honed his voice since his childhood in New York, where he participated in his first late-night jam session at barely eleven years-old. Over hundreds of gigs he established himself as a highly sought-after collaborator—whether on piano, drums, synths, or bass.
At just 25 years-old Rodriguez has toured and performed around the globe, including at the iconic North Sea Jazz Festival and Newport Jazz Festival. This summer the tireless showman is confirmed for a four-night residency at the legendary Blue Note in NYC from June 17-20, along with a performance at LA’s Zebulon on June 25.
Buy or stream Evergreen.
Evergreen Tracklist:
1. Mission Statement
2. Funmi’s Groove
3. Around The World
4. Road Rage (feat. Jay Adlher)
5. Many Times
6. Rise and Shine
7. Run To It (The CP Song)
8. Love Everlasting (feat. Keyon Harrold)
9. Stars Talk (feat. Nate Mercereau)
10. Champion’s Call (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow)