Chance Encounters (Feat. John Rogers)

Lucy's Record Shop

John Rogers, who first stepped into Lucy’s Record Shop when he was just 14-years-old, is an accomplished writer and photographer who uses his camera to document both the jazz scene and the streets of New York City. In this episode you’ll hear how growing up in Nashville - from seeing live music at Lucy’s and playing in his own bands to drinking coffee at Bongo Java and collecting records from The Great Escape - influenced his life and art. You’ll also hear about the numerous inexplicable and mysterious coincidences that manifest in his life and bring him closer to the people, scene, and city he loves and admires.

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John Rogers started traveling to New York City from his hometown of Nashville, Tenn., when he was 18 years old. The camera helped him consider the complexity of his personal devotion, as a fan, to the brightness and subtle glances that carry performances. He slept in cheap hotels or parks, heard a different show every night, and soaked up stories from musicians. Rogers moved to New York in 2003 knowing only a handful of players on New York’s avant-garde downtown scene, but eventually became close to figures like Yusef Lateef, Ornette Coleman, Paul Motian, Bill Frisell, Chris Potter and Fred Hersch. He established himself as a preeminent photographer and documentor of the city’s jazz ecosystem.

John has a way of catching his subjects mid-move, at the moment when energy is being activated. If a singer smiles, he gets them in the act of raising their eyebrows; when a drummer swipes for a tom drum, Rogers catches them gathering the conviction to render the blow.

Check out the book of his work, Old & New Dreams, with introduction by Dawoud Bey.

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Episode Music

Lambchop - So I Hear You’re Moving

Wally Pleasant - Sons of Bob Dylan

Low - Hey Chicago

Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian - On the Street Where You Live

Versus - Be-9

Photo of John Rogers courtesy of Rowan Renee.

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This show is part of We Own This Town, a podcast network of original entertainment and documentary content. You can find more info at the official site at WeOwnThisTown.Net and on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.