Rodriguez & Keepe Duo

About The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo....

Hailing from beautiful Tucson, Arizona, The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo has enchanted audiences throughout Southern Arizona with an elegant mix of classical and contemporary music since 1992.  Allen Rodriguez (piano) and Michael Keepe (saxophone) are each accomplished soloists in their own right. Together they form a chamber ensemble of the highest caliber offering selections from their respective solo and chamber repertoire, providing a delightful and memorable musical experience.

Lauded for their “wonderful rapport” and their “excellent mix of music” (Tucson Musical Arts Club) this unique ensemble explores the rich heritage of classical saxophone and piano repertoire. They perform original compositions for piano and saxophone including those written for Adolphe Sax himself, traditional French masterpieces, classics of the 1920s “Saxophone Craze”, and premieres of works written for this ensemble. Their versatility can also be heard in their transcriptions of Bach, Granados, Bizet and others. In 2006 they were honored to have their recording of Ravel’s Piece en forme de Habanera selected for inclusion on volume 9 of America’s Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax on the AUR recording label.

As mentioned earlier, what sets this duo apart from others is the inclusion of their individual solo repertoire. This will inevitably feature performances of Chopin, Liszt or Mozart from Allen and works by Bonneau, Bozza, or a solo tango of Piazzolla by Mike. This aspect provides a personal and intimate atmosphere creating a deeper connection between the performer and audience.

The artistry of The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo is sure to resonate with audiences of all ages, tastes and backgrounds.

Pianist Allen Rodriguez, is a native of Oklahoma, and has resided in Tucson since 1977.  Raised in the small town of Shattuck, Okla., he began studying piano at age seven and trumpet at twelve. 

After graduating from High School, Allen was granted a full music scholarship to attend Southwestern State College in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  For two years Allen was a double-major in Piano Performance and Instrumental Music Education/Trumpet with a minor in Voice.  In the Fall of 1975 Allen transferred out of state and completed his undergraduate degree at Centenary College, a private Liberal Arts College located in Shreveport, Louisiana.  As an undergraduate Allen studied piano with Dr. Robert Reynolds, and spent one summer as a student of the Round Top Festival Institute in Round Top, Texas, where he attended piano master classes under the guidance of James Dick, Lita Guerra, and Dame Lili Kraus. 

Allen moved to Tucson in 1980 to study piano with Professor Ozan Marsh and Piano Pedagogy with Dr. Billie Erlings at the University of Arizona.  While pursuing a Masters Degree in piano Allen also taught Class Piano Instruction under the auspices of Dr. Erlings and has taught privately in Tucson since 1980.

In addition to music, Mr. Rodriguez runs a wine distributorship and import company along with his business partner in Phoenix.  His duties include sales, acquisition of wines, staff training and wine country travel around the world.  The company, Classico Fine Wines, specializes in Italian and Spanish wines plus selections from California, Chile, and Argentina.

Michael Keepe lives in Tucson, Arizona with his lovely wife Jessica where he is in high demand as a performer and music educator.

As a performer Mike’s goal is to promote and perpetuate the rich and diverse heritage of concert saxophone repertoire.  He performs locally with The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo, a classical piano and saxophone duo active since 1992, the Arizona Opera, and is the founding member of the Tucson based and internationally acclaimed Presidio Saxophone Quartet.  As a soloist he has performed with high school and college bands, at regional and national saxophone conventions and festivals, and has recorded with the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble.
 
A deeply committed music educator, Mike enjoys making music accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.  He is currently Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone, and Music Industry at Pima Community College in Tucson, and has maintained a thriving private studio for over 20 years. He is an active member in local and national teachers associations and is currently President of the Tucson Music Teachers Association. Mike’s involvement with public and private schools has led him to serve as clinician, adjudicator, and band director for the Tucson Unified School District and the Arizona Music Educators Association.

In addition to performing and teaching, Mike is also Project Manager and Co-Producer at Arizona University Recordings, an international recording label dedicated to promoting today’s most talented performers and composers from around the world.

Mr. Keepe received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance from the University of Arizona.  He is a Performing Artist and Clinician for the Selmer Company, and can be heard on the Albany and AUR recording labels.