Peruvian-Irish guitarist and composer Rodrigo Almonte returns this autumn with his new album Sounds of the Blue Book, a powerful and moving suite inspired by Roger Casement’s 1910 Amazonian report, The Blue Book.
Casement’s investigation into the brutal exploitation of Indigenous communities during the rubber boom in Peru marked a turning point in international human rights advocacy. Over a century later, Almonte reimagines this story through music—blending jazz, improvisation, and Peruvian and Irish traditions into a hauntingly lyrical soundscape.
The trio behind the album features:
- Rodrigo Almonte – guitar, compositions
- Lorenzo Vitolo – piano
- Matthew Jacobson – drums, percussion, glockenspiel
Recorded live at The Lexicon in Dún Laoghaire, the album presents seven original compositions, each unfolding as part of a sonic journey that bridges history, memory, and imagination. For Almonte, the project is more than music—it is a dialogue between cultures, a tribute to silenced voices, and a reflection on the resilience of human stories across time
Sounds of the Blue Book – A Roger Casement Story Tour
Following the release, Rodrigo Almonte will present this work in concert across Ireland this October:
- 02 Oct 2025 – Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare
- 03 Oct 2025 – Dublin Unitarian Church, Dublin 2
- 05 Oct 2025 – The Old Church Centre, Co. Antrim
- 09 Oct 2025 – The Blasket Centre, Co. Chiarraí
- 10 Oct 2025 – Tobar Naofa, Co. Kerry
- 11 Oct 2025 – Backstage Theatre, Longford
About Rodrigo Almonte
Currently based in Dublin, Almonte has developed a distinctive voice as a guitarist and composer, shaped by experiences across Peru, Brazil, Ireland, and New York. His music balances lyrical melodies with intricate rhythms, drawing comparisons to Pat Metheny, Lage Lund, and Tal Farlow. His previous releases include his debut Distancia and Recutecu with the Peruvian Jazz Project
With Sounds of the Blue Book, Almonte deepens his exploration of cultural identity and storytelling through jazz, offering audiences a suite that resonates across continents and histories.
Sounds of the Blue Book is released on 20th September 2025.
Find out more: rodrigoalmonte.com