Big Ears

Bryan Rogers, tenor saxophone, was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. He began playing the tenor saxophone at age 16 which led him to attend the University of the Arts in 1999. There he studied under Chris Farr, Jim Paxson, Ron Kerber, and others.

In 2003 Rogers formed Shot x Shot with fellow UArts students Dan Scofield, Matt Engle, and Dan Capecchi. The group began rehearsing in earnest and performing regularly in the Philadelphia and New York areas. In 2006 Shot x Shot released its first album on High Two Records to critical acclaim. In addition to glowing liner notes by esteemed jazz critic and author Francis Davis, the album won praise in Downbeat (3 1/2 stars), Village Voice (best debut 2006), Chicago Reader (no.8 of 40 best albums 2006), and AAJNY (best debut 2006), among others. Shot x Shot attended SXSW 2007 and has toured the East Coast and Midwest several times. The group's second release on High Two, Let Nature Square, was released in May 2008 and has already received many excellent reviews. Shot x Shot remains Rogers' primary artistic endeavor.

In addition to Shot x Shot, Rogers plays in several other groups based in the Philadelphia area including Bobby Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound, Matt Davis' Aerial Photograph, singer-songwriter Melody Gardot, as well as several side-projects. He recorded Ceremonies of Forgiveness with Zankel's Warriors of the Wonderful Sound for Dreambox Media in 2006. A second album recorded with Zankel in April 2008 is forthcoming. Rogers has performed regularly with Davis' Aerial Photograph since 2005, most recently as part of Davis' residency project called "City of Philadelphia, 2008." The project involves recording and performing new material each month for the year of 2008. He plays nationally and internationally with Melody Gardot. In March 2008 Rogers recorded with Gardot and producer Larry Klein for her forthcoming album for Universal Records.

In addition to a regular performance schedule, Rogers teaches saxophone in the Philadelphia area.