ANIBAL ROJAS

Anibal tours regularly with Cuba Gooding and the Main Ingredient. He also has performed and/or recorded with Ray Mantilla, Tom Bowes of Tower of Power, the Philadelphia 76ers House Band, the Latin Jazz Journey, former Spin Doctor Anthony Krizan, Dennis Gruenling and Jump Time, The Diablo Project, Don't Call Me Francis, The Philadelphia Funk Authority, and Skin Tight & The New York Horns.Anibal Rojas is a saxophonist with indigenous roots in a modern world. Born in Chile, Rojas emigrated to the U.S. in his early teens. His parents, fleeing political persecution, bought him a saxophone and signed him up for music lessons to keep him out of trouble. To supplement the family's income - his father's modest doctoral student stipend - Rojas spent his summers as a migrant worker in Iowa's cornfields. All the while, he was learning too - English and music. He scored a full music scholarship auditioning on a horn that was held together with rubber bands and four years later scored a degree in music performance from the University of Iowa. A classically trained jazz lover, Rojas moved to the East Coast and found work with R&B and funk bands, who appreciated his screaming altissimo and big, colorful sound. His debut CD, 'Ahkneeball', showcases Rojas' world-class saxophone chops, but it also features his considerable skill on a variety of flutes and indigenous instruments. 'This music is a reflection of who I am as an immigrant, as a Chilean, as a U.S. citizen, and as a citizen of the world,' Rojas says. 'That's how I see myself - as a citizen of the world. And I think my music has those same qualities.'Anibal's recent highlights include playing for the King of Morocco's New Year's Eve Party at the palace in Marrakech and the opening night of Philadelphia's Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts opening for Elton John with the Philadelphia Funk Authority. He has also played at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, Universal Studios Amphitheatre, and The Greek Theater, and has appeared on the television shows 'Access Hollywood,' 'The Joan Rivers Show,' 'Good Morning America,' and 'The Today Show.'More information about Anibal can be found on his website at: http://www.anibalrojas.com