Colombian-born Jay Rodríguez (Hernan Ramiro Rodríguez Sierra) began playing music while attending elementary school and has been performing professionally since eighth grade. The talented musician studied clarinet with Paquito D'Rivera's father, Tito D'Rivera, and later harmony at the Hight School of Performing Arts. After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, Rodríguez became involved in the tropical music field, teaming up with the legendary Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto, among other prominent Latin artists. However, New York's environment moved him to explore different sounds, having the opportunity to join the acid jazz outfit Groove Collective soon after. In 2001, DJ and producer Ron Trent teamed up with him to assemble an experimental duo called Batidos, issuing a full-length record titled Olajope. ~ Drago Bonacich