Calvin Rodgers

Calvin Rodgers

Calvin Rodgers

Fred Hammond / Clinician

Calvin Rodgers

Fred Hammond / Clinician

Country:   United States Category:   DRUMSET ARTISTS

Overview

Calvin Rodgers was born into a family of musicians, on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. As a young child, his parents noticed instantly his love for music, and especially his passion for the drums. His father Willie Rodgers, a well-known songwriter and musician, encouraged Calvin's gift and immediately began cultivating it, by pouring into him constantly. Oftentimes, Calvin's father would take him to late night rehearsals and studio sessions, to offer him the opportunity to watch and learn from the veteran musicians that his dad would often work with.

 

As the years passed, Calvin gained more and more exposure, playing at local churches, with various solo artists, groups and choirs. At the age of 15, while some were yet perfecting their craft, Calvin was granted the honor of playing alongside the recently GRAMMY nominated Ricky Dillard and New Generation Chorale. The live CD/Video "Hallelujah", was Calvin's first nationally released recording. Shortly thereafter, Calvin's drumming caught the attention of jazz icon, Ramsey Lewis. Lewis was spearheading the inner city music program, Jazz Mentors. This program afforded talented high school musicians the opportunity to be mentored musically, by some of Chicago's finest jazz musicians and teachers. Calvin studied under the tutelage of the drummer for that program, Ernie Adams, for two years.

 

Upon graduating, Lewis invited Calvin to join and record with his award-winning super-group, Urban Knights. Simultaneously, Calvin began touring with gospel singer and songwriter, John P. Kee. Calvin was also becoming a regular first call studio session drummer in Chicago, for everything from smooth jazz to radio and television jingles.

 

It was while working as a studio player that Calvin met RnB powerhouse, R. Kelly. With over 200+ awards won, including three GRAMMYS, Calvin knew that when Kelly offered him the position as his touring drummer, he couldn't say no. After two years of touring the U.S. and Europe with R.Kelly, Calvin decided he had to respond to a higher calling, and return to his gospel roots. He accepted a job offer with GRAMMY award winner Fred Hammond, as a music director.

 

As of current, Calvin is now Hammond's lead co-writer and co-producer. Calvin also maintains a steady schedule as a clinician, and a private lesson teacher. Whenever in Chicago, Calvin can be found on the drums at his home church, New Life Covenant. He also serves as a mentor and big brother, to many up and coming drummers and musicians.

 

His touring and recording resume boasts the likes of such artist as Aretha Franklin, The Isley Brothers, Kirk Franklin, Jonathan Butler, Marvin Sapp, Yolanda Adams, Agnes Monica, Avant, Dionne Warwick, Rachelle Farell, Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence, Byron Cage, James Fortune, Vashawn Mitchell, T.D. Jakes, George Huff, and many many more

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Configuration_1

Studio Kit

Reference

Sapphire Blue Sparkle

 

22x18 bass drum

8x8 tom

10x8 tom

12x8 tom

13x9 tom

16x14 floor tom

18x16 floor tom

 

14x6.5 Reference 20 ply snare drum

13x6.5 Reference 20 ply snare drum

14x5 Reference Brass snare drum

14x8 Hybrid Exotic Kapur/Fiberglass snare drum

Configuration_2

Studio Kit

Reference Pure Series
Crystal Rain

 

22x16 Bass Drum
8x7 Tom
10x7 Tom
12x8 Tom
16x16 Floor Tom
18x16 Floor Tom

 

14x5 Reference Brass Snare Drum

14x6.5 Sensitone Premium Brass Drum

14x5 Sensitone 14x5 Phospor Bronze

14x6.5 Reference 20ply Snare Drum
14x8 Hybrid Exotic Kapur/Fiberglass Snare Drum

Configuration_3

Studio Kit

Session Studio Classic
Vintage Copper Sparkle

 

22x16 Bass Drum
8x7 Tom
10x7 Tom
12x8 Tom
16x14 Floor Tom
18x16 Floor Tom
14x6.5 Snare Drum