b. 28 July 1950, Redding, California, USA. Since producing a quartet of bestselling and award winning albums with John Lee Hooker, Rogers’ own career has become more of an indulgence than a necessity. By 13, he was playing guitar in a high school R&B band. A few years later, he began to study blues techniques and slide playing in particular. During the 70s, he formed a partnership with harmonica player David Bergin, making their recording debut with A Foot In The Door. In 1979, he formed the Delta Rhythm Kings, a trio that he has retained ever since; between 1982 and 1986, he divided his time between them and being a member of John Lee Hooker’s Coast To Coast Boogie Band. Rogers financed his own album, Chops Not Chaps, in 1986, later reissued on Blind Pig Records. Slidewinder released the following year, also featured Hooker and Allen Toussaint. Rogers teamed up with another harmonica player, Steve Miller’s sideman Norton Buffalo, on R&B (1991) and Travelin’ Tracks (1992). Hooker’s The Healer was released in 1989, bringing both commercial success and a fistful of Grammy awards. Mr Lucky and Boom Boom followed in 1991 and 1992, but it was not until 1995’sChill Out that Rogers established a firm presence on both sides of the microphone. His recent albums contain a shrewd mixture of the entertaining and the edifying, showing that Rogers now combines an understanding of the music with a commercial ear. He continues to be a sought after producer and session player; in recent times a notable cameo was on Bonnie Raitt’s 2002 release, Silver Lining. His first ever live recording, with his Delta Rhythm Kings, was released in 2004.