Gloria Thompson Rodgers
University Park, Illinois, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"It's incredible that just a few year ago, critics and historians were bemoaning the death of your women blues singers! There are many women belting out the blues, and Chicago's own Gloria Thompson Rodgers is one of the most exciting." - 12th Chicago Blues Festival
Next Up, Gloria Thompson Rodgers. a critically acclaimed, veteran Chicago blues artist know for her witty songwriting and her rich alto voice. Considered one of the hardest working blues performer, she is also considered one of the best ballard singers in the Blues genre.
- City of Chicago
“It’s no surprise Gloria Thompson Rodgers is from Chicago…she sets the stage for the newest in a long line of female vocalists that include Koko Taylaor and emulates Dinah Washington.”
Red Dog
- Blues Connection Magazine
“Thompson-Rodgers sings in a rich burnished alto: her intonation is solid and her tone is attractively churchy”…It’s encouraging to hea a yournger-generation Chicagoan who writes her own material and has the kind of stylistic diversity that Thompson-Rodgers struts on theis disc.”
David Whitis
- Living Blues Magazine
Next Up, Gloria Thompson Rodgers. a critically acclaimed, veteran Chicago blues artist know for her witty songwriting and her rich alto voice. Considered one of the hardest working blues performer, she is also considered one of the best ballard singers in the Blues genre.
- City of Chicago
“Today there are many women belting out the Blues, and Chicago’s own Gloria Thompson Rodgers is one of the most exciting…The presence of contemporary artists like Gloria on Chicago’s Blues Scenen help ensure that the Windy City will remain the World Capital of the Blues for many years to come.”
- Chicago Blues Fest Magazine 2003
“She was fantastic, I knew she would be good but had no idea she could ever be that goo. What a talent…She’s hot on the trail to becoming one of this countries’ top female blues artist.”
Liz Sarber - Crossroads Blues Society
“Today there are many women belting out the Blues, and Chicago’s own Gloria Thompson Rodgers is one of the most exciting…The presence of contemporary artists like Gloria on Chicago’s Blues Scenen help ensure that the Windy City will remain the World Capital of the Blues for many years to come.”
- Chicago Blues Fest Magazine 2003
Discography
LPs released
Daddy's Girl 1994
Liberated 2003
GLORIA 2009
"GLORIA" is presently in rotation, receiving airplay in the U.S. and Europe. All have received positive reviews from newspapers and Blues magazines in the U.S. and Europe.
Photos
Bio
Gloria began mesmerizing audiences at the the tender age of 9; by 17 she was a professional singer. Her love of music brought her back to the stage, after raising a family, better than ever. Fans have been loving her around the U. S., as well as, music lovers around the world. After working every Blues club in the Midwest performing in hotels, special events, cruises and festivals, she's received almost as much attention for her songwriting as for her animated live performances. International travels have included France, UK, Japan, Greece, Norwegian Star Blues Cruises and Russia - where she did a command performance for the Prime Minister.
Using only top shelf-musicians, Gloria's opened for Buddy Guy, Little Milton, Jimmy Johnson, Watermelon Slim, Joe Louis Walker, Clarence “Gatemouth Brown.” She's shared the headlines with Maurice Jon Vaughn, Eddie Shaw, A.C. Reed and spent time touring with Dave Welds and Phil Guy.
INFLUENCES: Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, Etta James, Tina Turner, Ruth Brown, Sarah Vaughn, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed, Albert King, Little Milton, Johnny Taylor, Denise LaSalle, ZZ Hill, Billie Holiday, Alberta Hunter, BB King, Lavern Baker, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and Bettye Wright.
On stage Gloria Thompson Rodgers is a fearless and dynamic entertainer, using her unique vocal phrasing, extensive repertoire, and fantastic showmanship, she sets herself apart from all others. Grasping her audience with their favorite Jimmy Reed cover, lulling then into a heartfelt Sarah Vaughn classic, shaking them up with Tina Turner. then knocking them out with Wang Dang Doodle is her trademark style. Using her easily distinguishable, full, rich intonation she initiates an intimate relationship with the crowd as she whispers her love of song into their hearts, creating a sense of familiarity that deems her unforgettable.
Chicago Blues Fest magazine says "...She is the hardest working performer and one of the best ballard singers in the Blues genre."
Links
