Calvin Rodgers
Isley Brothers
プロフィール
アメリカ・シカゴの音楽一家に生まれ、幼い頃からドラムに情熱を注いできたCalvin Rodgers(カルヴィン・ロジャース)。優れたミュージシャンである父のもとで演奏の基礎を学び、地元のゴスペルシーンにおいて、Ricky Dillardと活動しながら実力を磨いた。その後、Ramsey Lewis主宰の「Jazz Mentors」プログラムに参加、さらなる研鑽を積み、実力派グループUrban Knightsへの参加を経て、グラミー賞受賞アーティストR. Kellyのツアーにも参加した。
その後は自身のルーツであるゴスペルへと回帰し、Fred Hammondのミュージック・ディレクターを務めるほか、楽曲制作や共同プロデューサーとしても活躍。20年以上にわたるキャリアの中で、Aretha Franklin、Kirk Franklin、The Isley Brothers、Beyoncé、Kelly Rowland、Michelle Williams、Chaka Khan、Fred Hammond、Yolanda Adams、John P. Keeなど、数多くのトップアーティストと共演・ツアーを重ねてきた。
これまでに200作を超えるアルバム制作に参加。現在もツアーミュージシャンとして活躍する一方で、牧師、教育者としての活動に加え、後進の育成にも力を注ぐなど、幅広い活動を続けている。
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