David Rodriguez talks community, culture, and his work with NJPAC

I was born in Newark and was a full-time musician on the road with groups ranging from Isaac Hayes to Tito Puente to the Rochester Philharmonic. Over the course of the years, I studied at Juilliard, the Eastman School of Music and Mansfield University. I worked at Carnegie Hall, Aaron Davis Hall, AOL Live and the Apollo Theater. The opportunity arose to work at NJPAC and not just fill the seats, but to create diverse programs that resonate beyond the four walls of the venue.

A lot of touring artists go on stage in a different city every night. They might have a little sign taped to the piano that says the name of the city. “I’m so glad to be here in…Newark!” What we try and do here is to make artists feel like NJPAC is more than a stop on a tour—that they’re part of our community.

Kevin Hart came here right after Hurricane Sandy, and we arranged for him to spend the day talking to local young people about comedy. He went out to dinner before his performance and was half an hour late coming back. We asked his driver, What happened? Kevin had gone out and bought thousands of dollars worth of Home Depot cards to give to first responders and families who were impacted by the hurricane. Because he interacted with our community and had a connection with our community.

When artists come to NJPAC for the second, third, hundredth time, they don’t need that little sign on the corner of their piano to remind them where they are. They remember the face of the child they met last time. This goes for our audiences as well as our artists. Once you see that you… Read More