Reuben Rogers
Encyclopedia
Reuben Renwick Rogers is a American
jazz
bassist, composer
and educator.
, Rogers was exposed to varieties of music that included Calypso, Reggae, Gospel and Jazz. In his formative years, Rogers received encouragement from his parents to explore his musical talent. He began with the clarinet, experimented with the piano, drums and guitar, yet at the age of 14 found his true passion in the bass.
Under the eye of his high school band teacher Georgia Francis, Rogers studied jazz with fellow Virgin Islanders Ron Blake and Dion Parson. Rogers' potential was recognized by numerous awards, grants and scholarships from the St. Thomas Arts Council and other local organizations. This in turn opened the door for Rogers' summer studies at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan and in Boston at Berklee College of Music
. Upon completion of their five-week summer program, Berklee awarded Rogers a scholarship toward his degree studies.
Rogers' musical education was punctuated by numerous awards, most notably, a scholarship endowed by the Fish Middleton Jazz Society. He earned his Bachelor of Music in 1997 from Berklee College of Music. Rogers' command of both the electric and acoustic bass has aided him in adapting to various musical genres. This versatility in addition to his creative energy has led him to be a very sought after bassist. Rogers began touring professionally at the age of 17 with the Marcus Roberts trio. He has worked with jazz artists of world-renown, such as Wynton Marsalis
, Roy Hargrove
, Joshua Redman
, Nicholas Payton
, Mulgrew Miller, Jackie McLean
, Charles Lloyd and Dianne Reeves
, amongst others. Rogers' peers continue to influence and enrich his musical style and direction. He has toured extensively all over the globe, and has recorded on over 70 CDs.
Ever committed to supporting the arts in the Virgin Islands, Rogers returns when his schedule permits to conduct music workshops in local schools and organize fundraising concerts that benefit the education of today's island youth. His musical endeavors come full circle during performances with Ron Blake and Dion Parson in the Caribbean jazz group 21st Century.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
bassist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and educator.
Biography
Born November 15, 1974, and raised in the Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands
The Virgin Islands are the western island group of the Leeward Islands, which are the northern part of the Lesser Antilles, which form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean...
, Rogers was exposed to varieties of music that included Calypso, Reggae, Gospel and Jazz. In his formative years, Rogers received encouragement from his parents to explore his musical talent. He began with the clarinet, experimented with the piano, drums and guitar, yet at the age of 14 found his true passion in the bass.
Under the eye of his high school band teacher Georgia Francis, Rogers studied jazz with fellow Virgin Islanders Ron Blake and Dion Parson. Rogers' potential was recognized by numerous awards, grants and scholarships from the St. Thomas Arts Council and other local organizations. This in turn opened the door for Rogers' summer studies at Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan and in Boston at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. Upon completion of their five-week summer program, Berklee awarded Rogers a scholarship toward his degree studies.
Rogers' musical education was punctuated by numerous awards, most notably, a scholarship endowed by the Fish Middleton Jazz Society. He earned his Bachelor of Music in 1997 from Berklee College of Music. Rogers' command of both the electric and acoustic bass has aided him in adapting to various musical genres. This versatility in addition to his creative energy has led him to be a very sought after bassist. Rogers began touring professionally at the age of 17 with the Marcus Roberts trio. He has worked with jazz artists of world-renown, such as Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, Roy Hargrove
Roy Hargrove
Roy Anthony Hargrove is an American jazz trumpeter. He won worldwide notice after winning two Grammy Awards for differing types of music, in 1997, and in 2002...
, Joshua Redman
Joshua Redman
Joshua Redman is an American jazz saxophonist and composer who records for Nonesuch Records. He won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991.-Biography:...
, Nicholas Payton
Nicholas Payton
Nicholas Payton is a jazz trumpet player from New Orleans, Louisiana.-Biography:The son of bassist and sousaphonist Walter Payton, he took up the trumpet at the age of four and by the time he was nine he was playing in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band alongside his father...
, Mulgrew Miller, Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
, Charles Lloyd and Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
, amongst others. Rogers' peers continue to influence and enrich his musical style and direction. He has toured extensively all over the globe, and has recorded on over 70 CDs.
Ever committed to supporting the arts in the Virgin Islands, Rogers returns when his schedule permits to conduct music workshops in local schools and organize fundraising concerts that benefit the education of today's island youth. His musical endeavors come full circle during performances with Ron Blake and Dion Parson in the Caribbean jazz group 21st Century.
Quotes about Reuben Rogers
- " Reuben’s impeccable musicianship and fresh approach to each performance keeps me perpetually inspired. His consummate playing allows him to rise comfortably in most any musical situation." Dianne Reeves
- " Reuben has a great talent and an ability to play in the “now” with wonderful intelligence and a beautiful inventiveness. He is deeply passionate and brings humor and a warm humanity to the whole situation." Charles Lloyd
As sideman
With Charles Lloyd- Rabo de NubeRabo de Nube-Track listing:# "Prometheus" - 14:42# "Migration of Spirit" - 10:14# "Booker's Garden" - 14:32# "Ramanujan" - 11:38# "La Colline de Monk" - 4:01# "Sweet Georgia Bright" - 12:16# "Rabo de Nube" - 7:36...
(ECM, 2007) - MirrorMirror (Charles Lloyd album)-Track listing:# "I Fall in Love Too Easily" - 5:00# "Go Down Moses" - 5:59# "Desolation Sound" - 7:03# "La Llorona" - 5:35# "Caroline, No" - 4:02...
(ECM, 2010) - Athens ConcertAthens Concert-Track listing:Disc One:# "Kratissa Ti Zoi Mou" - 5:59# "Dream Weaver" - 8:10# "Blow Wind" - 5:34# "Requiem" - 5:57# "Greek Suite Part 1: Hymnos Stin Ayia Triada" - - 4:03...
(ECM, 2011)
- Worlds – Aaron GoldbergAaron GoldbergAaron Goldberg is a jazz pianist based in New York City. He began studying piano at seven and studied under Bob Sinicrope of Milton Academy and saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi...
(Sunnyside) - Can’t wait for perfect – Bob Reynolds (Fresh Sound)
- Testimonial – Carl AllenCarl Allen (drummer)Carl Allen is an American jazz drummer.He has worked with a wide variety of musicians, including Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, George Coleman and Phil Woods. and the Benny Green Trio....
(Atlantic) - Denzal Sinclaire – Denzal Sinclaire (Verve)
- A Little Moonlight – Dianne ReevesDianne ReevesDianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
(Blue Note) - Nouveau Swing – Donald Harrison (Impulse)
- True Life Stories – Jimmy Greene (Criss Cross)
- Beyond – Joshua RedmanJoshua RedmanJoshua Redman is an American jazz saxophonist and composer who records for Nonesuch Records. He won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in 1991.-Biography:...
(Warner bros.) - Compass – Joshua Redman (Nonesuch)
- If Less is more, Nothing is Everything – Kate McGarry (Palmetto)
- Dear Louis – Nicholas PaytonNicholas PaytonNicholas Payton is a jazz trumpet player from New Orleans, Louisiana.-Biography:The son of bassist and sousaphonist Walter Payton, he took up the trumpet at the age of four and by the time he was nine he was playing in the Young Tuxedo Brass Band alongside his father...
(Verve) - Sonic Tonic – Ron Blake (Mack Avenue)
- Alto Summit - Phil WoodsPhil WoodsPhilip Wells Woods is an American jazz bebop alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader and composer.-Biography:...