Biography
Johnny Rodgers Band - "POP with pizAZZ". Songs for the sophisticated palate. David Finkle in a Backstage Review says "Rodgers has his own virile charm but at the same time suggests what might have happened if Elton John, Billy Joel, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell had all been born in the same body". Johnny Rodgers Band is brilliant weaving one style with another: pop, rock, jazz. The music literally takes you on a guided tour of American Pop exhibiting the driving energy of rock and roll, blended with jazz sophistication. The band's chemistry and Johnny's personable stage presence completes the formula that creates the band's dynamic performances.
Johnny Rodgers and the band recently released two new EPs BOUND TOGETHER and LET'S MAKE A DATE. BOUND TOGETHER has received high marks from AC Musicresearch.com market tests – and from anxiously awaiting fans. The EP includes the single "The Best Of You In Me" which will be heard on popular AC radio stations now and for years to come. In July 2008, “The Best Of You In Me” was voted #1 on the John Lennon Song Contest channel with world-wide fans voting on OurStage.com. The second EP includes Johnny’s big band swing duet, “Let’s Make A Date” with Liza Minnelli and has found fans across the world.
Johnny Rodgers Band was formed in New York City in 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. Johnny, Joe, Brian and Danny are influenced by the Beatles, John Mayer, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Elton John, Dave Matthews, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett and Sting.
Two years after the bands formation, the Johnny Rodgers Band's debut album, BOX OF PHOTOGRAPHS was released featuring Johnny's original songs. His songs take you on side trips to upbeat New Orleans and through Memphis soul. The album includes Grammy-winner Randy Brecker and his legendary sound on several jazz style cuts on the twelve-track album.
Johnny Rodgers and the Johnny Rodgers Band are currently out on tour attracting new audiences at clubs, PACs, festivals, and private events across the country. They have created shows including “An Evening with…”, "Me, Mel and More", “Singin’ Down The House”, “Makes You Feel So Good!” as well as performing simply as the "Johnny Rodgers Band". Venues have included the likes of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Feinstein's at Loews Regency, The Bottom Line, Birdland, The Metropolitan Room and The Jazz Standard in New York City, The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach FL, Ryles in Cambridge MA, Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club and Van Dykes on Miami Beach, as well at many festivals like Festival Miami at the University of Miami.
Johnny Rodgers grew up in Miami Florida and now resides in New York City enjoying the music and theatre scene. In between his own performances, writing and recording sessions with the band, Johnny finds time to tour the world with Liza Minnelli and her orchestra as featured guest artist. Johnny made his Broadway debut December 2008 in Liza's Tony Award-winning show "Liza's At The Palace...!" The show will be filmed September 2009 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Johnny co-wrote a lush ballad for Liza that was featured on Broadway in “Liza’s At The Palace…!” and is currently performed by Liza around the world. The cast recording of “Liza’s At The Palace…!, (Phil Ramone, producer) was released February 2009.
In addition to Johnny wowing the crowds at his own performances, he has shared the stage with such diverse luminaries as Liza Minnelli, Michael Feinstein, Randy Brecker, Stephen Schwartz, Ann Hampton Callaway, Dave Koz and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.
SELECTED 2009 - October 1st CD release, Love Songs of New Orleans, CD compilation, "Miss Dixie"
Cabaret Scenes July "Pick of the Month"
Song Writer/Featured Artist in TONY Award-winning "Liza's At The Palace"
WINNER 2009 - 12th Annual Unisong International Song Contest "Bound Together"
WINNER 2008 - ASCAP Foundation Jamie deRoy & Friends Award
WINNER 2008 - 15th Annual Billboard World Song Contest “Home to Mendocino”
WINNER 2008 - Fans voted "Midday Moon" #1 Jazz song on OurStage.com with over 13,000 plays in May
WINNER 2008 - Fans voted “The Best Of You In Me” #1 on OurStage.com in July on the John Lennon Song Contest channel
SELECTED 2008 - Armed Forces Entertainment
WINNER – Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – Abe Olman Award 2002 "Is It The Way?"
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
Management: Amy Hafner A Breath of Fresh Air LLC 305.283.6274 amy@johnnyrodgers.com
Instrumentation
Johnny Rodgers - Piano, Vocals, Guitar
Danny Mallon - Drums, Percussion, Backup Vocals
Joe Ravo - Nylon String Guitar, Electric Guitar
Brian Glassman - Double Bass, Electric Bass
Discography
Johnny Rodgers - Johnny Rodgers Band
- Bound Together EP - Melody Thread 2008 - Produced by Richard Barone - Special Guest Ben Taylor
- Let's Make A Date EP - Melody Thread 2008 - Produced by Richard Barone - Special Guest Liza Minnelli
- Box of Photographs - PS Classics 2005 - Produced by Richard Barone
Johnny Rodgers Recordings/Songs
- Liza's At The Palace - Hybrid Recordings 2008 - Produced for Records by: Phil Ramone
Includes "I Would Never Leave You"
written by Johnny Rodgers, Billy Stritch, Brian Lane Green; recorded by Liza Minnelli
Includes ACT II, Johnny Rodgers recorded and featured with Liza Minnelli in Kay Thompson tribute
- Hallways: The Songs of Carol Hall “Change In Me” - LML Music 2008
- Sweethearts: Multi-Artist Pop Hits, Vol 1 “Special Light” – Oceanlight Records 2008
- Jule Styne in Hollywood “Brooklyn Bridge”- PS Classics 2006
- Maury Yeston Song Book “Danglin” - PS Classics 2003
Johnny Rodgers Band; Johnny Rodgers, producer
- In Good Company - Lee Lessack LML Music 2005
Includes “Here’s To You”, a tribute to Simon & Garfunkel. Words & Music by Johnny Rodgers
- Waiting for the Glaciers to Melt - Brian Lane Green LML Music 2005
Johnny Rodgers
- 3 Men and a Baby...Grand, Salute the Rat Pack - LML Music 2006
- Little Kisses, co-written & performs - Jolie Jones Music 2006
FILM / MOVIES - Johnny Rodgers
- LIZA'S AT THE PALACE, PBS special, 2009 - releasing to PBS stations and to DVD Dec 2009.
- Wedding Bros, Screen Media Films, Song "Special Light" Sweetheart Multi-Artist - Oceanlight Records 2008
2009/2008/2007 Radio Play, Live In Studio and Interviews
WFDU NJ/NY
WAER Syracuse
WBAI New York
WOR New York
WLRN Miami
WLVE Miami
WBZ Boston
WUMB Boston
WLNA Central IL
WLGZ Rochester/Syracuse NY
WDVR NJ, CT, NY
WMBR Boston
KPFA Mendocino
WHUD Hudson Valley
WRLB West Virginia
WHLI Long Island
and many more from syndicated interviews & radio play. Thank you all!
2008/2007 Television Interviews and Live In Studio
NBC 6 Miami
CBS 4 my33 Miami
WGN Superstation/CW
WLRN channel 17 feature Johnny Rodgers: A Musical Journey
Links
| http://www.JohnnyRodgersBand.com |
| Johnny Rodgers Website |
| Johnny Rodgers storefront |
| Johnny Rodgers Band - Facebook |
| Johnny Rodgers Band - MySpace |
| OurStage.com Fan Club |