Reuben Rogers

Reuben Rogers was imbued with both groove and spirit from birth. Raised in the Virgin Islands by parents who were both ministers, Rogers grew up playing gospel in church while absorbing the calypso and reggae rhythms of the islands. The discovery of jazz in his teens added the elements of freedom and improvisation to those innate qualities, creating the unique chemistry that would make Rogers one of the most distinctive and in- demand bassists in modern jazz. Rogers�� versatile mastery of both the acoustic and electric bass has led to opportunities on stages around the world alongside some of the music��s most renowned artists, including Charles Lloyd, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Tomasz Stanko, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Roberts, Nicholas Payton, Mulgrew Miller, Jackie McLean and Dianne Reeves, among many others. The range of styles and approaches represented by that partial list reflects the diversity and adaptability of Rogers�� virtuosic and communicative gifts

Ron Blake SCRATCH Band (Ron Blake)

By Ron Blake

Label: 7t��n33 Productions
Released: 2025
Track listing: Bassman; Body and Soul; Another Level; Lift Every Voice and Sing; Grace Ann; Appointment; Song for Maya; La Conga de Juana; April's Fool

SCRATCH Band

By Ron Blake

Label: 7t��n33 Productions
Released: 2025
Track listing: Bassman; Body and Soul; Another Level; Lift Every Voice and Sing; Grace Ann; Appointment; Song for Maya; La Conga de Juana; April's Fool.

Ron Blake, feat. Reuben Rogers & John Hadfield: SCRATCH Band

by Jack Bowers
August 16, 2025

There several interesting features that single out saxophonist Ron Blake's new recording with what he refers to as his SCRATCH Band. First, the Puerto Rican-born Blake, best known for his work on tenor saxophone, plays baritone sax on five of the album's nine numbers, tenor sax on only three, tenor and soprano (separately) on one of ...

Saxophonist Ron Blake Streamlines & Simplifies His Musical Delivery With 'Scratch Band,' Due August 8 On 7t��n33 Productions

July 2, 2025

Ron Blake makes the case that less is more with the lean, uncluttered, direct sound of his SCRATCH Band, set for an August 8 release on his 7t��n33 Productions label. The debut of the tenor and baritone saxophonist��s eponymous ensemble is a more intimate affair than usual, placing Blake in a trio with bassist Reuben Rogers ...

Brian Wilson Jazzed: Ten Essential Wilson Covers

by Ian Patterson
June 17, 2025

Brian Wilson is widely hailed as one of the most significant songwriters of the 20th century--the master craftsman behind The Beach Boys' music. Inspired by rock 'n' roll, doo-wop, George Gershwin, vocal quartet The Four Freshmen and Burt Bacharach, he developed sophisticated harmonies and a signature sound that sold millions of records. His singular ...

SFJAZZ In January

by Ronald Davis
February 8, 2025

April

By April Varner

Label: Cellar Music Group
Released: 2024
Track listing: April Blues; I'll Remember April; Joy Of April; April Come She Will; April Give Me One More Day; April Again; Sometimes It Snows In April; Dear April; April In Paris; Lost April; Who Let April Back In My Dreams?.

Gilmore Piano Festival 2024

by John Ephland
June 5, 2024

Irving S. Gilmore International Piano FestivalKalamazoo, MIApril 24 to May 12, 2024 Thelonious Monk ends his 1967 album Straight, No Chaser with the song “We See." This Monk classic quartet remake from the 1950s was also the last piece of jazz music performed at this year's Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival. ...

Charles Lloyd: Defiant Warrior Still On Song

by Chris May
March 19, 2024

As fool's errands go, few compare with selecting a Top Ten Albums collection from Charles Lloyd's extensive top-drawer output. But here goes. Lloyd newbies could consider the list a launch pad, and seasoned fans can compare the choices with their own... Anyone going to jazz festivals in summer 1966, and lucky enough to ...