Johnny Rodgers
*click here to download print copy

Biography

Hailed by critics, singer songwriter pianist Johnny Rodgers explodes on the music scene like a supernova. Renowned jazz critic Howard Riech describes Johnny as, "a first-rate singer songwriter with robust vocals and exuberant pianism".  In Jazz Times, Christopher Loudin adds, "Entering the national jazz-pop radar, Johnny Rodgers is definitely one to watch.  A bit of a vocal chameleon, Rodgers proves himself a consistently engaging troubadour."

Johnny Rodgers Band was formed in New York City in the spring of 2003, when award-winning singer-songwriter-pianist Johnny Rodgers created "The Band" he had always dreamed of to add musical depth to his road-tested original songs. Johnny pulled together accomplished musicians with vast experience who were familiar with performing in all styles from pop to jazz and classical.

Each member of the band brings a distinctive voice and a versatile musical background: Brian Glassman on double bass, Danny Mallon on drums, Joe Ravo on guitar, and Johnny on piano with powerful vocals. The band performs song stylings and arrangements that are fresh and unique.  It is easy to hear the influence of the musical heritage of Billy Joel, Elton John, the Beatles, James Taylor and Paul Simon.

Although some of Johnny's original melodies invite easy comparison to classic rock ballads, his songs take side trips into places like upbeat New Orleans and Memphis soul.  The Johnny Rodgers Band performs a guided tour of American pop blending the sophistication of jazz with the driving energy of rock and roll.

Two years after their formation, the Johnny Rodgers Band recorded Johnny's songs for the eagerly-awaited debut album 'Box of Photographs'.  Grammy-winner Randy Brecker and Carlos Alomar added their legendary sounds as guest artists to several tracks on the twelve track album.

On August 15, 2005, to standing room only crowds and an enthusiastic introduction by Liza Minnelli, Johnny Rodgers Band celebrated their debut album, 'Box of Photographs' at The Jazz Standard in New York City. A second CD Release Party followed in Johnny's hometown of Miami Florida to yet another standing room audience. Fans always comment that the LIVE performance sounds just like the studio produced album, while enjoying the band chemistry and Johnny's personable stage presence.

The Johnny Rodgers Band loves to entertain and attract new audiences at clubs, festivals, private events, and fundraisers.  The band looks forward to expanding their tour nationally and bringing their second album to life.

www.johnnyrodgers.com

JOHNNY RODGERS
'Poppy Sunshine' - Vocals, Acoustic Piano
Johnny Rodgers a Miami native who resides in New York City has been compared by critics to James Taylor, Elton John and Billy Joel all rolled into one.

In between gigs and writing sessions with the band, Johnny Rodgers tours North America, Europe, and South America with Liza Minnelli and her orchestra as accompanist and featured guest artist. Recently the Johnny Rodgers Band performed for Billy Joel at the Lincoln center for the ASCAP Founders Awards.  In addition to wowing the crowds at his own performances, Johnny has also shared the stage with Joel Grey, Michael Feinstein, Stephen Schwartz, Ann Hampton Callaway and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

WINNER - Songwriter's Hall of Fame - Abe Oldman Award 2002
WINNER - BackStage Bistro Award - Outstanding New York Debut 2002
WINNER - Best One Man Show - Show Business Weekly
WINNER - MAC Award - Best Male New York Debut 2002
WINNER - New York Sheet Music Society - Gerald Marks Award 2002

BRIAN GLASSMAN
'Mud Man' - Double Bass
Listen for the deep, complex tones of Brian's 200 year old early American bass. His experience is vast and he is a chameleon of musical styles.  Brian also teaches Jazz Bass at Princeton University.

DANNY MALLON
'Mad Dog' - Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Try playing the percussion frog along with Danny as he opens the song 'Mary Jean'.  Danny has recorded and performed with artists in all styles from pop to Baroque. Since 1991 Danny has been a faculty member at the Mannes College of Music.

JOE RAVO
'Cotton Eye Joe' - Nylon String Guitar
Joe, a native New Yorker is known for his Brazilian finger stylings.  Having taught at New York University and Columbia, he is currently an instructor at Mannes College of Music.

Website
http://www.JohnnyRodgers.com

Discography
Johnny Rodgers Band
Box of Photographs - PS Classics 2005

Johnny Rodgers Band; Johnny Rodgers, producer
In Good Company - Lee Lessack LML Music 2005
Waiting for the Glaciers to Melt - Brian Lane Green  LML Music 2005

Johnny Rodgers
Maury Yeston Song Book, Danglin- PS Classics
3 Men and a Baby...Grand, Salute the Rat Pack- LML Music 2006

Press

“…a finger-popping pianist and a terrific singer with range and style…”
- Rex Reed, The New York Observer

“…A first-rate singer-songwriter…robust vocals and exuberant pianism.”
- Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

“Like Peter Allen and Barry Manilow, both of whom emerged from the boites, this new kid will take flight. He’s a fresh-faced original bursting with charm, raw talent and sophisticated musicianship. There was Feinstein. There was Connick. And now…heeeeere’s Johnny!”
- John Hoglund, BackStage

“New songs like ‘Home to Mendocino’ and ‘Box of Photographs’ have ‘top-10 hit’ written all over them and Rodgers performs them like a combination of Elton John, Billy Joel and James Taylor all rolled into one. His voice has a melting incandescent quality that cuts directly into the heart with a blazing earnestness and sincerity that’s uniquely his own."
- David Hurst, Show Business Weekly

“Looking like a young Sean Penn and playing with character and style, Rodgers has all the earmarks of a major find.”
- Barbara and Scott Siegel, BackStage

“If hyper-talented wonder-boy Johnny Rodgers doesn’t have a Tony for Best Score inside of 10 years, color me shocked.”
- Jonathan Warman, HX Magazine

“He’s the High Sheriff of the ivories! His all-American looks belie an extraordinary talent.”
- Jim Sheeran, Palm Beach Society

“Rodgers has – and gives – it all. He explodes like a supernova.”
- Jeff Rossen, Cabaret Scenes

“This hot new talent is a sign of things to come: a combination of styles and influences merging in pure talent.”
- Bill VanSant, Essex Journal, NJ

Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – Abe Olman Award 2002
BackStage Bistro Award – Outstanding New York Debut 2002
Best One Man Show – Show Business Weekly
MAC Award – Best Male New York Debut 2002
New York Sheet Music Society – Gerald Marks Award 2002

Music Festival
Two Stars That Deserve Five
DANIEL FERNANDEZ
The New Herald - October 4, 2007

Continuing the series of spectaculars that as always promises to be so successful, the Miami Festival of the Frost Music School of the University of Miami presented on Sunday, September 30, “An Afternoon of Broadway, Pop & a Little Swinging Jazz,” with two brilliant stars, each one in their own genre and with their own brightness, Debbie Gravitte, Broadway artist that has won two Tony Awards, and Johnny Rodgers, who, born and educated in Miami, is now living in New York, where he has his own band.

Rodgers and his group are the true epitome of what is usually called “jazz fusion'' that is the result of the mixture of many things. A composer and spectacular pianist, this singer is a true dynamo on stage, who jumps from one style to another with the security of an expert trapezist: jazz, pop, rock. His versatility is uncommon and very authentic. He knows how to savor a ballad like the most veteran of crooners -- he sang like Ray Charles and he confessed that he was an admirer of Mel Tormé, in whose style he sang “Give Me the Simple Life” -- and also to put flavor to the most rhythmic creations. “She,” an original song of his own inspiration, was very well received by the public, and no less satisfactory his interpretation of “Take Another Chance on Love.”

His group is excellent, and I would not know where to start. Perhaps by the trumpet player, but the name of the wonderful musician does not appear in the program and I did not think about writing down it when they announced it from the stage. It is worth mentioning and may the talented young man pardon me. Others on the program who were mentioned were Brian Glassman on the contrabass, Joe Ravo on the guitar, and Danny Mallon on drums.

Although of recent formation, this band is already playing frequently and has its own CD, in addition to a tight agenda of performances on stages across the entire world.

The second part of the afternoon was dedicated to the wonderful Debbie Gravitte, accompanied on the piano by her magnificent arranger and companion Russ Kassoff. Gravitte counts on a solid career established on Broadway stages and international tours. She has shone in works like Mame, Chicago , and Wicked, from which she interpreted-- with her exquisite and melodious mezzo -- the most distinguished songs. As well as a magnificent stylist, she is no less effective an entertainer, interjecting anecdotes of her personal and professional life. Little by little, she won the public, who at the end of her truly One Woman Show, gave her a standing ovation.

Her repertoire ranges from the most well known songs of the American musical comedy to some of the most sophisticated, like the Kurt Weill classic “Lady in the Dark.” Also, she sang a composition specially written for her by the great Jerry Herman. Very stirring was her delivery of the well-known “Memory,” from Cats, by Andrew Lloyd Weber.

The culmination of the afternoon was two duet encores of Gravitte and Rodgers singing together. Unforgettable!

Box of Photographs (PS Classics)

“Johnny Rodgers with his clean-cut all-American looks, star-making moniker, James Taylor-lush voice, and résumé that includes shared stages with Paul McCartney, Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, and Chrissie Hynde (in addition to starring off-Broadway in Our Sinatra), singer/songwriter and keyboardist Johnny Rodgers seemed destined for big things even before the release of his spectacular debut. But the real achievement of this glorious whirlwind of 12 original songs is the way it celebrates artistic independence in a world of cookie-cutter artists and hyper-restrictive radio formatting. That is, he's comfortable singing and swinging in all styles — soaring piano-driven pop ballads ("Box of Photographs"), moody jazz ("Midday Moon," featuring Randy Brecker’s beautiful muted trumpet), Taylor-flavored confessional pop-folk ("Is It the Way?"), gospel-country ("Mary Jean"), and samba ("She"). That list covers only the first five tracks, which hints at Rodgers' powerful artistic depth that must drive marketing folks crazy. There's a definite Southern charm throughout, which he explores via funky, bluesy trips to visit "Miss Dixie" and Elvis territory via "Movin' into Graceland." As a lyricist, he scores best on "In the End," a wonderful tribute to his father whose images rank up there with the best of country songwriters. There's just no end to the praise Rodgers deserves for following muses that make sure he doesn't remain in any single comfort zone for too long. If this collection is any indication of what's to come, Rodgers will be an across-the-board superstar and an inspiration to millions of artists who don't fit neatly into a single genre.”

-Jonathan Widran, All Music.com, Music Connection, Jazziz

“Just entering the national pop-jazz radar after a half-decade's worth of seasoning in Chicago and on the New York cabaret circuit, Floridian singer-songwriter-pianist Johnny Rodgers is definitely one to watch. A bit of a vocal chameleon, Rodgers variously suggests James Taylor, Jim Messina and Seals siblings Jim and Dan, all accentuated by a crystal-clear, slightly countrified cadence. Traveling with bandmates Danny Mallon (drums), Brian Glassman (bass) and Joe Ravo (guitar) from the reflective, autobiographical pain (and release) of "In the End" and warm hug of "Sweet Georgia Smile" to the southern-fried ebullience of "Miss Dixie" and the post-Elvis revival meeting that is "Movin' to Graceland," Rodgers proves himself a consistently engaging troubadour. To be fair, though, Box of Photographs wouldn't likely be half the welcome introduction it is without the masterful assistance of fellow journeyman Richard Barone as producer, coarranger, sometime cowriter and constant champion.”

-Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes

“It’s difficult to describe the songs on Johnny Rodgers’ debut album in one single, enveloping phrase or term because there isn’t a common sound or form to his compositions. But what the 12 selections on “Box of Photographs” do share is the rich musical artistry of Rodgers as pianist, arranger (with producer Richard Barone and Rodgers’ band) and vocalist while revealing a cunning and evocative songwriter. The breezy, open road reverie of the title track sets the stage for this sensational collection, a work that’s one of the finest singer-songwriter sets in recent memory.”

-Jeff Rosen, Gay Chicago Magazine