Dear Friends,

In late summer 2023, my friend Stellario told me I needed to be more selfish—not in the typical sense, but by stepping back from some of my teaching commitments to invest in something I'd been talking about for a number of years: recording a new album of original compositions. While my tendency was to wait a bit more, Stellario said “There is only now. You can't wait another year”. He then added:

"Producing more and better music is a contribution to all those who will enjoy it (I know I do), and performing more often, in front of larger crowds, is also a contribution to people's well being and happiness. You don't 'give back' just by teaching, and you need to embrace this notion."

Those words marked the beginning of Whispered Awakening. The title reflects how sometimes visions awaken quietly, speaking softly—we only hear them when we become still. I began listening to that stillness when it was imposed on most of us in March 2020.

From that quiet came a series of musical sketches that I felt drew from my ancestors in Galicia, Spain as well as my mom's lineage in Appalachia. These combined with my personal and professional intersections with Afro-Peruvian, Cuban, and West African traditions. Each piece became a different reflection on memory, time, people, and places that shaped me, in particular exploring the timeless aspect that exists in a particular moment or era of one's life.

Having heard a preview of the album, the prominent South African guitarist Derek Gripper said:

“In these recordings, Tomas Rodriguez navigates an intersection of global traditions with a compositional directness that is most delightful and charming to listen to. Beautifully recorded and sensitively played. Listening to the record I felt like I was living in quieter times.”

Now, I'm very happy to announce that Whispered Awakening will be released on May 1, 2026, and I'll be celebrating with three album release concerts:

• Boise, Idaho – Saturday, April 11, 7:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church
Click here for tickets.
• McCall, Idaho – Sunday, April 12, 6:00 PM at McCall Community Church
Tickets coming soon.
• Brooklyn, New York – Saturday, May 3, 5:00 PM at South Oxford Space in Fort Greene
Click here for tickets.

CDs will be available for sale at all concerts before the May 1 streaming release.

Best,

In the meantime, you may listen to my music on all platforms and follow my journey on social media at the links below.