Biography
Rod Tate is a saxophonist/songwriter. As a performer, he has opened for contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra, contemporary jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb, contemporary jazz artists Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry and Ramsey Lewis. He has also opened for Gospel artist Richard Smallwood and gospel jazz keyboardist Ben Tankard, as well as comedian/actor Tommy Davidson. Rod has also appeared on Black Entertainment Television's (B.E.T.) segment of Jazz Discoveries. Rod is a full-time musician based out of his hometown of St. Louis, MO. As a solo artist Rod has independently released nine CDs: A Taste Of Eternity, True Love Never Fails, With You, Let's Talk, The Secret Place, Tatejazz, A Musical Portrait, I'm Still Here and most recently Mellow Moods. He has also recorded three CD's with his band Rod Tate & Full Circle: (Live at Divinity, Love & Family, and recently a live CD simply entitled, Live). He also is co-founder of the duo Two Smooth with Guitarist Gregg Haynes, with two CDs to their credit, Too Smooth Vol. 1 & Too Smooth Vol. 2.. As an artist, performer, and musician Rod's goals are to continue to learn, grow, and to touch lives positively through his musical expression. As a songwriter, Rod's goals are to soothe the listeners soul and to speak love to their spirits. He also aspires to have his music in movies, commercials, and television programming.
Rod Tate's Accomplishments over the years
1993 - Opened for Ramsey Lewis with the "Kelly Lewis Band" in Chicago, IL. Kelly is the son of Ramsey Lewis.
1994 - Self-released debut solo CD entitled, "A Taste of Eternity". Also appeared in July issue of CCM Magazine.
1995 - Self-released second solo CD entitled, "True Love Never Fails". * CD, "True Love Never Fails", airs on the Weather Channel. *Appeared in April issue of CCM Magazine. *Opened for gospel jazz keyboardist, Ben Tankard in St. Louis, MO. *Appeared on "On the Rock Music Charts" as an independent artist (WITR 89.7 Webster, NY). * Nominated by Airplay Int'l for a "King American Eagle" Award in Nashville, TN. * Appeared on Black Entertainment Television (BET) segment of Jazz Discoveries.
1996 - Appeared on Black Entertainment Television (BET) segment of Jazz Discoveries. *Semi-finalist in Musician Magazine's Unsigned Band/Artist Competition. (June '96 edition) *Feature interview on "You Can Make It" on the TCI cable television station, Ajuma Muhammad: Host. *Performed at the 1996 Missouri Black Expo. *Featured in the North County Journal (February 1996 Edition).
1997 - Song entitled, " New Arrival" from "True Love Never Fails" was used as the theme song on the cable show "Street Level", aired on Charter Communications.
1998 - Opened for gospel recording artist, Richard Smallwood at the St. Louis Symphony Auditorium (formerly known as CASA). *One of the opening acts for christian comedian, Broderick Rice, at the Ambassador in St. Louis, MO.
1999 - Signed production library agreement with Texas-based Media Tone Music. *Live performance on TCI Cable Channel 21 show "Jam Sessions".
1999 - Opened for B.E.T's Tavis Smiley at Harrah's Casino in St. Louis, Mo.
1999 - Live performance on KSDK Channel 5's show entitled , "Show Me St. Louis " with hosts Debbye Turner and Dan Buck.
1999 - Performed at the "Kwaanza Expo" at America's Center in St. Louis,Mo.
2000 - Formed group " Rod Tate & Full Circle " & Released a live CD , entitled "Live at Divinity ".
2000 - Performed at Missouri Black MBA's scholarship banquet.
2000 - Performed with his duo , "Two Smooth" Duo at the Black Caucus Legislative Convention in the Lake of The Ozarks , Mo.
2000 - Released his third Solo release , "Heart & Soul " this release is only available on the internet.
2000 - Performed for the National Langston Hughes Poetry Festival , featuring poet , Sonia Sanchez in St.Louis , Mo.
2000 - Opened for comedian , Tommy Davidson ( In Living Color , Bamboozled , Strictly Business ) at the Comedy Forum in St. Peter's Missouri.
2001 - January release of a new CD entitled , " With You...". In Stores now and available on-line at Amazon.com. Distributed by BlueSky Distribution ( St. Louis , Mo (www.blueskycd.com) )
2001 - Rod Tate & Full Circled opened for Contemporary Jazz guitarist , Chuck Loeb
2001 - Rod Tate & Full Circle ( Rod Tate - sax ; Garrick Summers - keys ; Ed Hamiltion - bass & Alfred Barnes - Drums ) released a new CD entitled , " Love & Family ".
2001 - The "Two Smooth" Duo ( Rod Tate - sax & Gregg Haynes - guitar ) released a new CD entitled , " Too Smooth ( Vol. 1 )".( Distributed by Bluesky distribution ( www.blueskycd.com ) ).
2001 - Rod Tate( solo act )opened for the contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra
2001 - Rod Tate & Full Circle opened for contemporary jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith
2001 - The "Two Smooth " Duo opened for the Temptations
2001 - The " Two Smooth " Duo performed on Fox Channel 2.
2001 - Rod Tate & Full Circle performed for The Joe Torry Celebrity Gala ( After set party )and Joe Torry's wedding reception .
2001 - The Two Smooth " Duo performed at Rev. Jesse Jackson's 30th Annual Rainbow/Push Coalition Citizenship Education Fund Conference Gala ( In Chicago Illinois )
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