Tecora Rogers

Busy, Busy Busy!

2008-06-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

Hello All!
It has been a very busy few weeks. I was required to attend a rehearsal daily for six hours per day for Porgy & Bess and it was worth it! The show opened on Saturday, June 14 and the show is fabulous!

You must try to come to one of the shows. The play is at the Fleetwood Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, IL.

I have another project in the works that I will tell you about in a few days. In the meantime, please plan to come see the show. We perform every Saturday evening at 7:00pm and Sunday matinee at 3:00pm in Evanston. The show will run through Sunday, July 6, 2008.

Bronzeville Jazz Night

2008-05-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know this is after the fact... But I did send out a mailing on this event. Anyway, we were in Bronzeville last night at the Bronzeville Community Club House and it was amazing. I am so happy those of you who remembered were able to come.

Another magical night. We had Kevin Smith on Keyboard, Curtis Robinson on Guitar and Asante on Djembe.

Now I am trying to keep up with my notes here, but you guys have to remember I am currently rehearsing for Porgy and Bess and now the rehearsals are everyday! The show will be great. Did I tell you I am playing "Clara" in the show? That means my performance of "Summertime" will open the show. I am very excited about this and am hoping all of you will be able to make the performance. June 14th is our opening night!

I will be back soon.

Much Love!
Tecora

Porgy & Bess

2008-05-20T21:49:00.000-07:00

Good Evening!

It is nearly midnight and I am just getting home from rehearsal for Porgy and Bess. I stopped to check my email before going to bed and thought I would send you guys a note. This is going to be a fabulous show and I hope many of you will be able to attend.

A few of you sent me an email with feedback from my television appearances last week and I appreciate all of you support. Thank you! In the meantime, please check my website for the dates for upcoming appearances and come out for an evening at the theatre. Don't forget to get my attention while there.

Take care and we will talk soon,
Tecora

You are So Supportive!

2008-05-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

You guys are wonderful! Thanks so much for your notes and calls this week after watching me on television. It is not often that an entertainer can get concentrated local TV coverage like I have been fortunate to have this week.

For those of you who do not live in Chicago and therefore unable to see the local shows, I have put all of the footage on my website. Here are the links:

WGN was a national broadcast and I know many of you saw the spot but for those of you who did not, here is the WGN link:

WGN - Friday, March 21, 2008

Be sure to catch me at the Bronzeville Community Club House on Thursday, May 29 at 7pm. It is located at 3847 S. Giles in Chicago.

Tecora

Chicago Music

2008-05-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hey,

I cannot even begin to tell you how busy we have been. I think things are starting to pick up. I have had a few private parties and of course the Spirit of Chicago which was May 3. WOW!! What a day!

Please be sure to put June 14th in your calendar. I just learned there is a group from Indianpolis driving up for the cruise. It is going to be a great cruise.

Be sure to watch WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00pm CST. I will be interviewed by Phil Ponce and will perform a few songs.

Also watch ABC Channel 7 in Chicago on Thursday, May 15 at 11:00am CST. Tecora Rogers & the Chicago Spirituals will be performing to promote the gospel cruises.

That's all for now.

Tecora

African American Women Performing in Asia

2008-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

I am working on so many projects now, I just LOVE it! I was thinking, today, about my time in Asia and wanted to share some thoughts with you. As some of you may know, I left Chicago heading to Asia in the fall of 2003. I was offered an opportunity to perform at the Regent Hotel Singapore so I took a leave of absence and I have not looked back. I finally quit my corporate gig in February 2004 and it has been a roller coaster ride since that time. Lots of ups and downs but never dull. I have always wanted to sing for a living and have been doing so now for many years.

While in Asia, I met some incredible musicians. Many from the United States; places like Ohio, Mississippi, Illinois, California, New York, Louisiana and others. It was quite amazing to meet people from my home town of Chicago. I had to go to the other side of the world to meet people who lived only a few miles from my home (I'll always remember you Eldee Young).

What I found most interesting is there are so many African American Women living and performing in Asia. I would like to introduce you to one of them in this posting. Her name is Mandy Gaines and she is a phenominal woman and performer. I met Mandy back in 2003. In fact, Mandy was responsible for my securing the gig at the Regent Hotel Singapore. Although I have moved back home to Chicago after spending about 3 years in Asia, Mandy and I remain good friends.

I wrote an article several years ago on Mandy Gaines that I would like to share with you. I wrote several other articles on other African American Women performing in Asia that I will share with you over coming weeks. I hope you enjoy meeting my friend Mandy Gaines who is currently performing Taipei.

It is my pleasure to introduce to you to Ms. Mandy Gaines.

What a Wonderful Night!

2008-04-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,
Just a short note of thanks to all of you who joined us at the Bronzeville Community Club House last Thursday. It was a wonderful event and would not have been without you. It was a magical night. The people from Italy were so happy. Many of them are incredibly talented and their performances were amazing.

With the economy as it is, I was worried we would not have a good crowd but the event was standing room only and it was such a pleasure to have all of you there. I suppose the $15 cover including an all you can eat buffet helped pull you out. Whatever the reason, thank you!

Now more dates to remember...

Please watch me on:

Chicago Tonight - WTTW Channel 11 on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 7:00pm CST
News Program - ABC Channel 7 on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:00am CST

Be sure to book your gospel cruise on the Spirit of Chicago for Saturday, May 3, 2008. This is an all you can eat buffet! The good is GREAT and the entertainment is BETTER!

Finally, we will be back at the Bronzeville Community Club House on Thursday, May 29, 2008. Remember it is a $15 cover which includes an all you can eat buffet. Don't miss it!

Jazz Night at Bronzeville Community Club House

2008-04-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, April 24, 2008. We have a very exciting jazz night planned. First, we have about 20 singers from Italy who plan to attend jazz night and participate in the open mic segment of the program. I will perform the first set and then open the floor to those of you who sign up for the open mic segment. $15 at the door which includes an all you can eat buffet.

We have been contacted by NBC regarding the jazz night so you never know, you may be on the local news as well. Don't be shy, we will have a great time.

Finally, be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, May 15, 2008 to watch Tecora Rogers and the Chicago Spirituals live on ABC Channel 7 11:00 am news program. This appearance is to promote the gospel cruise for the Spirit of Chicago. Our first cruise this year is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008. Click here to make your reservation.

The Hidden Talent Theatre Performance

2008-04-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Hi,
We had another performance tonight... A show of monologues and I loved it. This is our last weekend so if you are available, try to make our last performance on Saturday, April 19. Show starts at 7:30pm. The show is in Hoffman Estates, 2500 Beverly Blvd.

This has been a great run. There are about 8 actors in the show plus 1 rapper and 1 singer (other than me). I am performing a monologue and a song at the end of the show. I am playing the part of "Regina" from the Little Foxes. If you are familiar with the Little Foxes, you know Regina is a force to be reckoned with. I find it a challenging character for me to play because my personality is so different from that of the character. However, it is a wonderful part and I must say my performance is the BOMB!

Try to make our last performance on Saturday, April 19. In addition to performing a monologue, I will also sing. The audiences have enjoyed hearing "What a Wonderful World" and I will end our last show with it as well. This show must not be missed! We'll talk again soon. Bye for now.

2008-04-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

I recently appeared in a play, "The Hidden Monologues." You can see a clip of my performance which has just been posted to my website (see the link to the right.)

2008-04-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba were announced the winners at the seventh annual BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music the ceremony at London Dingwalls on Thursday 10 April hosted by BBC Radio 3's Mary Ann Kennedy.

You would be able to continue reading the article here.

2008-04-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Out of the African songs, shouts and rhythms, the art of jazz was born. True to its origin, it is an art form that is spontaneous, full of emotion and improvisational in nature.

Jazz was slow in gaining acceptance because of its cultural origin as well as the tendency to view it as lacking in morals. It was not until white orchestras began to imitate jazz did it gain acceptance.

New Orleans is considered the home of jazz, with it then spreading to Chicago, Kansas City, the west coast and New York.

2008-04-11T12:34:00.000-07:00

Jazzonia
by Langston Hughes

Oh, silver tree!
Oh, shining rivers of the soul!

In a Harlem cabaret
Six long-headed jazzers play.
A dancing girl whose eyes are bold
Lifts high a dress of silken gold.

Oh, singing tree!
Oh, shining rivers of the soul!
Were Eve's eyes
In the first garden
Just a bit too bold?

Was Cleopatra gorgeous
In a gown of gold?

Oh, shining tree!
Oh, silver rivers of the soul!

In a whirling cabaret
Six long-headed jazzers play.

1926

2008-04-11T12:18:00.000-07:00

I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and have been singing since I joined the Angelic Choir at my church at the age of six. I've come a long way, baby. I believe my greatest gift is my ability to reach into the soul of the listener and make them feel the warmth I feel as I communicate through song. Join me as we explore the evolution of Jazz, especially Chicago-style.