Jazz Pianist and Keyboardist

Theodis Rodgers Jr. is an American Jazz pianist and multi-keyboardist from Chicago, Illinois. He has worked in theater, television and motion pictures as a performer, composer, arranger, producer and music conductor/director both nationally and internationally. Theodis has appeared on countless album recordings.

He has served as music director, pianist/keyboardist and studio musician for Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Angela Bofill, Jennifer Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ramsey Lewis, Henry Johnson, Freddie Hubbard, and The Emotions.

Theodis is a former member of the funk/rock band Love Craft. He also currently tours as pianist/conductor for Sandy Hackett’s ‘Rat Pack Show'.

Mr. Rodgers’ film credits include a cameo appearance with Sheena Easton in the movie “Indecent Proposal”. He also co-wrote music for the  movie “A Family Thing” which featured actors Robert DuVall and James Earl Jones.

Theodis has recently  concluded a multi-city tour of Russia with vocalist, Tecora Rogers and the Chicago Spirituals with performances in concert halls and cathedrals across the country. He has also performed at the Hat Jazz Club in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2012, Theodis lived and performed in Beijing, China. He appeared regularly at Beijing’s China Wing Hotel and The East Shore Live Jazz Cafe. He also conducted Master classes at  the Beijing Contemporary Music Institute.

Recently, Theodis has appeared along with Classical pianist, George Cooper and Ragtime pianist, Reginald Robinson in a self - penned concert series called ”From Mozart to Monk”.

His theatrical performances as a musical director and/or pianist include productions of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, Tony Award winner Hinton Battle’s ‘Largely Live’, ’Dreamgirls’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

Some of his recent performances include:

Chico Freeman & The Voices of Chicago, 10 – 18 Nov. 2019-tour of Switzerland and Germany

Andy’s Jazz Club-Chicago,IL 

Winters Jazz Club-Chicago,IL

Mr. Rodgers currently lives and performs regularly in Chicago, Illinois with his piano and organ trios. He is currently completing his B.M. degreee in Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois-Chicago.