Artist Biographies:

Reuben Rogers

Reuben Rogers is one of the premier jazz bassists in the world. Equally at home on both the electric and acoustic stand-up bass, his peers and followers of the art form recognize Reuben’s mastery of his craft. This is evidenced by the over 50 albums on which he has performed and the almost non-stop schedule of live performances in the company of some of the most famous names in the business after ten years playing professionally.

As a musician, Rogers has had the opportunity to work extensively with such jazz notables as Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman, Marcus Roberts, Branford Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Alvin Batiste, Carl Allen, Billy Pierce, Marion Jordan, Betty Carter, Danilo Perez, Marcus Printup, Johnny Griffin, Eric Reed, Phil Woods, Donald Harrison, Mulgrew Miller, Jackie McLean, Benny Green, Javon Jackson, Mark Whitfield, and Dianne Reeves. Working with these great musicians has enabled Rogers to tour Europe, Canada, South America, Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, and most of the United States. Rogers has also recorded with numerous musicians on such labels as GRP, Atlantic, Blue Note, Impulse, Verve, Alfa, King Records, Warner Brothers, and Criss Cross.
For most of his childhood Reuben was raised in the Virgin Islands where he was exposed to a wide variety of music, including calypso, reggae, jazz, and gospel. Rogers passionately explored his love of music and experimented with the clarinet, piano, saxophone, drums, and guitar before finding his true love in the bass.

To pursue an education in music, Rogers received various grants and scholarships from the St. Thomas Arts Council and other local organizations. Additionally, he earned a merit scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

In return for this community’s generosity Rogers has never forgotten his roots, making a special effort on very occasion he visits St. Thomas to return to the very program from which he started, by mentoring music students at his alma mater Charlotte Amalie High School and making donations of instruments. In July 2005 he raised the bar even higher by convincing his compatriots as well Jazz Diva Dianne Reeves and native son Ron Blake to donate their time to a benefit concert in aid of United Way St Thomas-St John to take place on January 21, 2006.

Ron Blake
The “Sonic Tonic”
www.RonBlakeMusic.com

Ron Blake is a native of the island of St. Thomas and grew up playing guitar and alto saxophone initially drawing influence from his father’s sizeable jazz collection. Blake came to the U.S. as a junior in high school to study music at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Subsequently, the saxophonist attended Northwestern University studying alto saxophone with the famed classical saxophonist Fred Hemke.

In 1987 while teaching young musicians at a summer camp in the Virgin Islands, he had the opportunity to sit in with Bobby Hutcherson, Gary Bartz, and the late Dizzy Gillespie at the Virgin Islands Jazz Festival. He notes this concert as a major turning point in his career.

Upon graduating from Northwestern, Blake immersed himself in the Chicago jazz scene, becoming exposed to a host of jazz musicians including Von Freeman, Wilbur Campbell, and Willie Pickens who brought the young artist up on stage as a musical rite of passage. It was during this time that he started playing tenor saxophone and had the opportunity to freelance with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and back up such stars as Nancy Wilson, Louis Bellson, and Clark Terry.

In 1992 Blake joined the Roy Hargrove Quintet (through 1997,) and quickly became one of the most sought after Jazz saxophonists on the scene. He has performed at most jazz festivals and clubs internationally and has been fortunate to share the stage with such jazz greats as Johnny Griffin, Stanley Turrentine, Bobby Hutcherson, Roy Haynes and Ray Brown. Blake has made over 30 jazz recordings with his contemporaries as well as legendary artistes such as Benny Golson, Jimmy Smith, Arthur Taylor and Art Framer.

In 1998, Blake and drummer Dion Parson, another Virgin Islander, released 21st Century to critical worldwide acclaim. As leader of the Ron Blake Quartet, which included Reuben Rogers, Blake released their debut album, Up Front and Personal, in 2002.

His most recent achievement is the solo album “Sonic Tonic” for Mack Avenue records. “Sonic Tonic” has been critically acclaimed for fusing funk, Latin and Caribbean rhythms with the more traditional jazz sound.

Dianne Reeves
“The Celebrated Jazz Diva”
www.DianneReeves.com

Dianne Reeves, one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today, was awarded the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for each of her last three recordings—a Grammy first in any vocal category.

Reeves’ singing draws upon a world of influences; she is tied to a powerful storytelling instinct and her virtuosity and improvisational gifts are breathtaking. In 1987, Reeves was the first vocalist signed to the reactivated Blue Note/EMI label. As a result of her unique R&B and jazz stylings, Reeves has since captured a huge following and tremendous acclaim throughout the world.

Reeves has performed with Daniel Barenboim and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and was the featured soloist with Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic. She has also recorded and performed extensively with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra.

Additionally, Reeves was the first Creative Chair for Jazz for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In this role Reeves had overseen the scheduling of jazz programming and educational workshops at both the Hollywood Bowl and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. An Ella Fitzgerald Award recipient, Reeves performed at the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City and appeared and sang on a season-ending episode of Sex and the City.

In late 2002, Reeves worked with legendary producer Arif Mardin (Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin) on her most recent Grammy-winning album, A Little Moonlight, an intimate and highly praised collection of ten standards featuring her touring trio (pianist Peter Martin, bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Greg Hutchinson).

In late 2004, Dianne’s first holiday recording, Christmas Time is Here, was released to outstanding reviews. Said Ben Ratliff of The New York Times “Ms. Reeves, a jazz singer of frequently astonishing skill, takes the assignment seriously; this is one of the best jazz Christmas CD's I've heard.”

Reeves closed-out 2004 with performances throughout Europe and Asia and was delighted to be the featured performer at UNICEF’s Annual Gala in New York City.

Among the highlights for 2005 is Reeves’ performance in the PBS special on Billy Strayhorn (composer of the Duke Ellington signature “Take the A Train”).

Reeves is also heavily featured in this fall's most talked about movie, George Clooney’s “Good Night And Good Luck.” Co-writer, director and star Clooney handpicked each song for the film's soundtrack, featuring Dianne on new renditions of such classics as "One For My Baby," "Straighten Up and Fly Right", and "Too Close for Comfort" as well as one new tune, "Who's Minding the Store." Her performance on this film has drawn rave reviews, ranging from "...one of the best jazz soundtracks released in recent memory..." to "It will be difficult to find a more perfect soundtrack this year."

Currently Reeves is currently involved in the dramatic presentation Billie & Me, which combines live performances, readings and reinterpretations of legendary jazz vocalist Billie Holiday. She is joined by noted female artists, writers, and poets such as Rita Coolidge, Niki Haris, Joan Osborne, Dianne Reeves, Rokia Traoré, Nancy Wilson and Terri Lyne Carrington, to celebrate the spirit and musical genius of Lady Day. Performances are scheduled for LA, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York and Washington DC.

With the onset of the Christmas season Reeves will hit the road with her touring trio and special guest Romero Lubambo with a series of concerts featuring her album special Christmas Time Is Here.

Photos from the United Way’s Listening Party held at the Mercury Café.