REUBEN ROGERS

Reuben Rogers è uno dei migliori contrabbassisti apparsi sulla scena USA negli ultimi anni. Tra le sue collaborazioni spiccano in particolare la militanza nel gruppo di Joshua Redman, con cui ha inciso numerosi dischi tra cui lo splendido "Beyond", in cui è accanto ad Aaron Goldberg ed Eric Harland, e quella nel gruppo di Dianne Reeves. Reuben Rogers ha inoltre suonato e inciso tra gli altri con Nicholas Payton, Peter Martin, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Roy Hargrove e Antonio Hart.

Reuben R. Rogers has a natural penchant for story telling. And Rogers, himself, will be the first to tell you his skills have coalesced under the influence of his impressive contemporaries.

Rogers' ability to transport the emotion of a piece into his accompaniment is akin to that of a fine woven tapestry, creating a blanket of rhythm and harmony that is welcomed by vocalists and instrumentalists alike. From a hard-hitting groove to a featherlike touch, with each interjection, Rogers echoes an affirmation of the soloist's statement, rendering a musical conversation in which the narrative is smoothly passed.

His own musical narration, often shaded in a palette of blue, has reached a point in its development where a leading flight is inevitable. This can be heard on Rogers' debut solo project, "The Things I Am," co-produced by renowned saxophonist Ron Blake.

Born November 15, 1974, and raised in the Virgin Islands, 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 exceptional musical talent. He began with the clarinet, experimented with the piano, drums and guitar, yet at the tender age of 14 found his true passion in the bass.

Under the watchful eye of his high school band teacher Georgia Francis, this passion found its focus in jazz encountered during workshops conducted by fellow Virgin Islanders Ron Blake and Dion Parson. Rogers' potential was well 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 is punctuated by numerous outstanding student 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 the creative energy that Rogers brings to the stage and recording studio has led him to be one of the most sought after bassists of his generation. He has enjoyed the opportunity of intense musical relationships with jazz artists of world-renown, such as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Marcus Roberts, 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."

Discografia

1. Reuben Rogers: The things I am (Renwick Entertainment)
2. Aaron Goldberg: Home(Sunnyside)
3. Aaron Goldberg: Worlds (Sunnyside)
4. Aaron Goldberg: Turning point (J Curve)
5. Aaron Goldberg: Unfolding (J Curve)
6. Adonis Rose: Song for Donise (Criss Cross)
7. Adonis Rose: The Unity (Criss cross)
8. Adonis Rose: On the Verge (Criss Cross)
9. Alto Legacy: Featuring Phil Woods, Vincent Herring, etc. (Key Stone)
10. Anthony Wonsey: The Exodus (Alfa Music)
11. Benny Reid: Findings (Concord Records)
12. Bob Reynolds: Can’t wait for perfect (Fresh Sound)
13. Carl Allen: Testimonial (Atlantic)
14. Charles Lloyd: Rabo de Nube (ECM)
15. Charles Lloyd: Mirror (ECM)
14. Darren Barrett: First one up (J Curve)
15. Darren Barrett: Deelings (J Curve)
16. Denzal Sinclaire: Denzal Sinclaire (Verve)
17. Denzal Sinclaire: My one and only Love (Verve)
18. Dianne Reeves: A Little Moonlight (Blue note)
19. Dianne Reeves: Christmas time is here (Blue note)
20. Dianne Reeves: When you know (Blue note)
21. Dion Parson: People Music (Tahmun Records)
22. Donald Harrison: Free to be (Impulse)
23. Donald Harrison: Nouveau Swing (Impulse)
24. Dre Barnes: Wandering spirits
25. Eljiro Nakagawa: Babe (King Records)
26. Gaspare Di Lieto: Waltz for My Son (YVP Music)
27 Helio Alves: Musica (Jazz Legacy Productions)
28. Irvin Mayfield: Introducing… (Basin Street)
29. Jesse Davis: Soul Heirs (Zoojazz)
30. Jimmy Greene: True Life Stories (Criss Cross)
31. Jimmy Greene: Gifts and Givers (Criss Cross)
32. Jimmy Greene: Mission Statement (Raz Daz)
33. John Ellis: By a Thread (Hyena Records)
34. Joshua Redman: Beyond (Warner bros.)
35. Joshua Redman: Passage of time (Warner bros.)
36. Joshua Redman: Back east (Nonesuch)
37. Joshua Redman: Compass (Nonesuch)
38. Kathy Kosins: Vintage (Mahogony Jazz)
39. Kate McGarry: Target (Palmetto)
40. Kate McGarry: If Less is more, Nothing is Everything (Palmetto)
41. Larry Mcllelan: Movin’ Up (Igmod Records)
42. Laurent Coq: Spinnin (Cristal Records)
43. Marcus Printup: Song for a beautiful woman (Blue note)
44. Marcus Printup: Unveiled (Blue note)
45. Mark Whitfield: Trio Paradise (Vega Records)
46. Masa Hiko Osaka: Crossfade (King Records)
47. Matthias Lupri: Same Time Twice (Summit Records)
48. Michel Sardaby: Karen (Soundhills)
49. Mike Carn: In Focus (Criss cross)
50. Nicholas Payton: Gumbo Noveau (Verve)
51. Nicholas Payton: Nick@night (Verve)
52. Nicholas Payton: Payton’s place (Verve)
53. Nicholas Payton: Dear Louis (Verve)
54. Peter Beets: New Groove (Criss cross)
55.Peter Beets: Chopin meets the Blues(Criss Cross)
56. Peter Martin: In the PM (Max Jazz)
57. Ralph Bowen: Keep The Change (Criss Cross)
58. Richard Boulger: The Calling
59. Ron Blake: Upfront and personal (Tahmun Records)
60. Ron Blake: Sonic Tonic (Mack Avenue)
61. Stephanie K.: Subterranean Dream
62. Taylor Eigsti: Let it come to you (Concord)
63. Takana Miyamoto: It’s All Up To You
64. Teodross Avery: In Other Words (GRP Records)
65. Tenor Legacy:Tenor Legacy w/ Max Ionata,Daniele Scannapieco,Clarence Penn (Picanto records)
66. Tom Harrell: Wise Children (Bluebird)
67. Toru Dodo: 116 West 238 st. (Jazz city Records)
68. Toru Dodo: Dodo (Jazz city records)
69. Victor Goines: Love Dance (Criss cross)
70. Walter Smith: Casually Introducing Walter Smith the 3rd (Fresh Sound)
71. Wycliffe Gordon: The Gospel Truth (Criss Cross)
72. 21st Century: 21st Century (Tahmun Records)
73. 21st Century: Live @ Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola