Thomas “Tiger” Rogers

By definition, this next artist is nothing short of a musical genius. He has traveled the world and played alongside of music legends. He also gives a new meaning to playing multiple instruments. You’ll see exactly what we mean after you read our interview with saxophonist Thomas “Tiger” Rogers as he talks to us about his new album Perspective.

Tiger!!! What’s happening my brother? So excited for this interview. Very glad to make this happen. How have you been?

ERS: Bro, I’m doing well. Just enjoying life and continuing to grow as a man and pursue my passions. GOD/ FAMILY/ MUSIC

SFND MAG: Now, is Tiger your real name or just your stage name?

THOMAS ROGERS: No, Tiger is not my real name. It’s my nickname when I was born, so it should have been. As I got older and became a performer, it stuck with me. They say when I was born I was an orange wrinkly baby and my wrinkles reminded them of tiger stripes.

SFND MAG: We have seen and heard a lot of saxophonist but none quite like you. Tell us a little about yourself. Where you from and how did you initially get started playing the saxophone and composing music?

THOMAS ROGERS: I’m from Jackson, MS and began playing the saxophone @ Whitten Middle School, band director Wayne Miller. I began playing by ear and studying horn parts at my home church at the age of 11.

SFND MAG: How would you say that you describe your music? Do you classify yourself as a jazz musician? Or would you say your music falls in another genre?

THOMAS ROGERS: Because my primary instrument is saxophone, yes I would classify it in some way jazz because it requires me to use improvisation, which is the sole component in jazz. My musical influences are also rooted in jazz.

SFND MAG: So, you’re from Jackson, MS. Mississippi is said to be the birthplace American music. As a MS native, tell us a little about the music scene right now and how your style of music fits in

that equation.

THOMAS ROGERS: Being from Mississippi brings me great joy to represent a state that has a vast history in America. My style of music expresses so many cultures of our state from gospel, folk, and jazz. I feel my music gives an alternative value.

SFND MAG: So, do you think the way people perceive jazz and blues Music has changed a lot over the years. Many modern genres like Hip-Hop and R&B are derivatives of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel. How then are these newer genres giving back or contributing back to say its original roots in the jazz and blues industry?

THOMAS ROGERS: Music continues to progress and evolve almost within every decade. I believe that when jazz/blues artists step out in search of new inventive rules it continues to help the original roots continue to thrive and become more valuable

SFND MAG: We must say that you have a tremendous talent playing the saxophone. Not only do you play soprano, alto, tenor sax, but also we’ve actually seen you play two saxophones at the same time! This is amazing, how did you learn to do that?

THOMAS ROGERS: One day I was playing the piano and realized that on the piano, you can play harmonies and melodies but you could not on the woodwind. So I obsessed with wanting to make harmonies like the piano. I can actually do three Saxes at once.

SFND MAG: Do you play any other instruments? How many?

THOMAS ROGERS: Yes. I play seven. Saxophone ( tenor, alto. soprano, and baritone) Melodica Keyboard/Piano Penny whistle Pan flutes Ewi (Electric sax) Beat Machines

SFND MAG: When did you start composing your own music?

THOMAS ROGERS: I started composing my own music when I was in college around the year 2000.

SFND MAG: Who are some of your musical influences?

THOMAS ROGERS: John Coltran, Miles Davis & Ron Kenoly

SFND MAG: Now you are still a young guy, yet you have accomplished so much? You have already traveled the world playing that sax. You have even play alongside the late great legendary B.B. King. What was that experience like?

THOMAS ROGERS: I honestly thought I was in a dream. (Outer body experience)

SFND MAG: You have also won several

awards in your home state of Mississippi and even were the youngest person to be inducted into the MS Blues Hall of Fame! That is a hefty honor. Tell us a little about this!

THOMAS ROGERS: I was inducted in 2011 into the Mississippi Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame with Aspiring Artist Award. Saxophonist Gerald Albright and Mike Burton were also honorees

SFND MAG: So you have recently released your latest single entitled “Seaside” and it generated quite a on the internet. Amazing record by the way. Tell us a bit about how this record came about.

THOMAS ROGERS: The title single “Seaside” was produced by Gus Parker and executive produced by Mike Welch. Over the years I’ve worked on exclusive

projects and we always talked of doing a big project together, so we began to look for sounds that could illustrate the mood of the project a. It took time and patience but here we are.

SFND MAG: How did you come up with the name “Perspective” for the project and what is the premise behind the name?

THOMAS ROGERS: It literally popped in my head. I wanted something or a word that everyone could relate to. Everyone has a Perspective.

SFND MAG: What can we expect from this album?

THOMAS ROGERS: Passion! Different expressions of feeling. Each song is like a story.

SFND MAG: What do you hope to bring to the table with your music to the industry?

THOMAS ROGERS: I hope to bring relevance back to instrumental albums and for it not to be commercialized, but also respected like lyrical artists. I think Kenny G. is not the only artist that can represent that instrumental brand.

SFND MAG: What is the anticipated release date?

THOMAS ROGERS: The album is out now on all major platforms. It came out last January.

SFND MAG: How can your fans reach you on social media?

THOMAS ROGERS: You can find me on tigerrogers.com also on Facebook and Instagram/ThomasRogers. My email is tigerrogerspublishing@gmail.com

SFND MAG: Before you go, could you name another artist that you think is “So

FN Dope” and tell us why?

THOMAS ROGERS: James Mike Day. We worked together in San Jose. He’s a great friend and he’s the organ player for NHL Hockey team San Jose Sharks.

SFND MAG: Once again, thank you so much Tiger for interviewing with us. It has been a pleasure .We definitely wishes you much success!