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Gene Rodgers

Gene Rodgers was an American jazz pianist and arranger. He is best known for being the pianist on Coleman Hawkins' famous 1939 recording of "Body and Soul".

Rodgers worked professionally from the mid-1920s, and in the next few years made recordings with Clarence Williams and King Oliver in addition to playing with Chick Webb and Teddy Hill. He started his own variety show in the 1930s, doing tours of Australia and England; while in the latter in 1936 he recorded with Benny Carter.

Upon his return he played with Coleman Hawkins (1939–40), Zutty Singleton, and Erskine Hawkins (1943). He did work in Hollywood in the 1940s, including an appearance in the film Sensations of 1945 with Cab Calloway and Dorothy Donegan. After this he worked mainly in New York, leading a trio for many years. He played with the Harlem Blues and Jazz Band in 1981-82.

Rodgers appears, with opening title credits, in the 1947 film Shoot to Kill, though it doesn't look like the sound was miked during filming. Appearing about 9:40 into the film is "Ballad of the Bayou" and later is "Rajah's Blues." Both are Rodgers compositions.

Rodgers recorded sparingly as a leader; he did two sides for Vocalion in 1936, four in a session for Joe Davis in 1945, and albums as a trio leader for EmArcy (1958), Black & Blue Records (1972), and 88 Up Right (1980).

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Video / DVD

Gene Rodgers: At the Astor

Gene Rodgers: At the Astor

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Gene Rodgers was the pianist on Coleman Hawkins' seminal recording of Body and Soul in 1939. For some reason, Rodgers didn't record nearly as often as he should have given his ability. Perhaps he preferred playing live rather than sweating re-takes in the studio. Or he wasn't as outgoing as others when it came to networking and bonding with producers. Or he slipped through the cracks and he became a secret. It's impossible to say. What is evident is that ...

Video / DVD

Gene Rodgers: Lost Pianist

Gene Rodgers: Lost Pianist

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

One of jazz's most enduring hits is Coleman Hawkins' October 1939 recording of Body and Soul. The rendition ranks pretty near the top of every jazz fan's list of favorites in terms of daring and influence. The tenor saxophone came into prominence after Hawk's recording and its sound would never be the same. [Pictured above, Gene Rodgers] Backing Hawkins that day on the three-minute recording was Tommy Lindsay, Joe Guy (tp) Earl Hardy (tb) Jackie Fields, Eustis Mo (as), Gene Rodgers ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

After Hours

Resonance Records
2001

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Jazz Greatest Names

Resonance Records
1973

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Videos

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