Many musicians say that stumbling upon a random instrument and being drawn to it is what sparked their passion for music and performance. For Ottawa-based blues and soul artist Jeff Rogers, it was an organ at a neighbour’s Christmas party. After discovering he could play Christmas carols, he was quickly enrolled in music lessons. The rest was history.
“I’ve honestly never looked back since then. There’s never been any other thing I wanted to be than a musician and a dad,” Rogers reflected.
As he grew up, Rogers’ passion for music led him to try different instruments, such as the saxophone and guitar, feeding into his love for rhythm and blues. His first gigs included playing the piano at Fat Tuesday’s while he was in university. Rogers has averaged over 200 shows a year for the past 15 years while being part of various bands and going solo.
He recorded his latest album, Dream Job, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which was nominated for an award at the Blues Blast Music Awards. The album is described as a “collection of narratives, impeccably crafted and delivered with a groove-infused charm that epitomises satisfaction,” according to Colin Campbell from Blues Matters Magazine. Currently, Rogers is on tour with The Legendary Down Child Blues Band and will be making a pit stop at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on November 20.
Rogers says his goal of being versatile in different music roles and to never stop improving is the heart and drive behind his latest record.
“Dream Job is kind of this culmination of being a working musician. I’ve never went for the artist root of things. I’ve always been firmly in the musician camp. I play, I work, I learn stuff, I play other people’s music, I support other artists, and sometimes I’m my own artist.”
“I think it’s really important for a musician and an artist to have a good look at all sides of how music is made, performed, and celebrated,” he added. “Putting in the time and the work, I’m proud and honest in my ability and love for the art.”
The town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama is home to one of America’s prominent recording studios where many artists—Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Seger— produced iconic albums. Rogers and his team relocated to the town, and it’s where he and Dick Cooper from the Cooper Brothers co-wrote Dream Job. The overall vibe, the location’s musical history, and the local artists ignited a spark for Rogers.
“You just get super talented people that live and breathe it, and it kind of feeds itself because then you have this storied town with all these musicians. . . people keep going there to make records, so these musicians never have a reason to leave. They’re always honing their craft.”
Rogers expressed the joys of connecting with some of Muscle Shoal’s local musicians who played for his idols, and how they helped shape the production of his album. These included Kelvin Holly, who played guitar for Little Richard, Clayton Ivey, Justin Holder, and Shonna Tucker. Rogers admitted it was hard not to fanboy, but once they all started playing, Rogers was quickly recognised as another session member, which he considered to be very special.
“It’s nice to go into a different environment and then have somebody else’s playing affect the way I play, and have my playing affect the way they play all from completely different backgrounds and experience levels, and then react in an honest, kind of beautiful way. . . which is what going to a place like Muscle Shoals is all about.”
“It was everything I hoped it would be that. I wish I could have afforded to stay there for a month and just even come up with three records by the end of it.”
The title song from Dream Job is a special track for Rogers because it encapsulates his current life as a musician. He said that he has been ending his shows with this specific tune as he finds it to be a good send-off for the audience.
Rogers refers to himself as a “musician’s musician” and says that the driving force behind his work is being able to play music and share it with others.
“I just want to play, and Dream Job is all about that. Just the idea for the record and for going down [to Muscle Shoals]. . . it’s just to go play music, be with really talented people, and get their thumbs up and be like, ‘You know what? You picked the right job’.”
When he found out that Dream Job was nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award, Rogers was extremely grateful that he was recognised by his peers and fans for his work. Although he was on the road and unable to attend the ceremony in person, he says the nomination was “the win”.
“It’s very cliche to say, but being nominated is way more important. . . If a body of people who’ve listened to a whole bunch of records and music say that my album stands out amongst 100 or so as one that somebody should notice, that’s the hugest compliment.”
This summer, Rogers had the privilege of playing at Ottawa’s Jazz Fest while opening for Lake Street Dive, which he described as a “special gig” as he got to connect with various artists and bring his family. When it comes to his onstage presence, he likes to keep it engaging and captivating from start to finish.
“There’s no right or wrong answer… I think the key is to be honest, you know? I just dive in because I really like authenticity.”
He added that he loves playing in smaller venues in Ottawa and across Ontario, saying that a venue that has good acoustics, atmosphere, and an audience that appreciates the music is what really heightens a performance.
He hopes to one day travel and perform in Germany and the U.K. As he puts it, the audience doesn’t need to know who he is or his songs to have a good time.
Rogers is returning to the National Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 20 and said he is grateful to be opening for The Legendary Down Child Blues’ farewell tour.
“I’m very honoured to be asked to play and help celebrate a band as storied, and I don’t take it for granted. I do very much appreciate their faith in me and opening the show for them.”
Tickets are still available to see Rogers perform on Wednesday, November 20. Visit nac-cna.ca for more information.
Find Jeff Rogers online at www.jeffrogers.ca, on Instagram at jeffrogersmusic and on your favourite music streaming platform.
Photo: Landon Entwistle Photography