DAVID RODGERS
Pianist. Arranger. Composer.
David Rodgers is a Nashville-based pianist, arranger, composer, and Nord Keyboards artist whose work moves between jazz, pop, commercial music, and the studio. He has performed and recorded with artists including Peter Frampton, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Joss Stone, Gavin DeGraw, Ricky Skaggs, Gabby Barrett, and Kirk Whalum, and has contributed to dozens of recordings, including Keb’ Mo’s Grammy-winning Oklahoma.
His work brings together a career as a performer and recording musician with composition, arranging, education, and creative leadership.
MUSICIAN
From the studio to the stage.
Rodgers’ career as a pianist and keyboardist has taken him from Nashville recording studios to major stages around the world. His recording and performance credits include Peter Frampton, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Ricky Skaggs, Gavin DeGraw, Joss Stone, Ben Rector, Gabby Barrett, Kirk Whalum, and others.
International appearances have included the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, and Playboy Jazz Festival, alongside performances at venues including the Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House, Grand Ole Opry, and Ryman Auditorium.
As a player, his approach is rooted in listening—moving easily between acoustic piano, Rhodes, Hammond organ, synthesizers, improvisation, and the broader keyboard palette a production or performance requires.
COMPOSER + ARRANGER
Music built around the project.
As a composer and arranger, Rodgers’ work spans recordings, live performance, large ensemble writing, and music for picture. His arrangements have included horns, strings, rhythm section, chamber ensembles, and full big band, while his original music has appeared across artist projects and commercial media.
His music has been featured on ESPN and the SEC Network, and he has contributed music to both seasons of Netflix’s Leanne. Across those settings, the approach is the same: understand the identity of the project first, then build the musical architecture around it.
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
Building the conditions for music to thrive.
From 2024–2026, Rodgers served as Artistic and Executive Director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop, guiding the organization through a pivotal period of leadership transition and its 25th anniversary season. Overseeing an approximately $650,000 annual operation, he worked across artistic programming, education, fundraising, board leadership, partnerships, and organizational strategy.
During that period, the organization strengthened its financial footing, expanded its programming, and launched the inaugural Nashville Jazz Festival in 2025—a two-day event bringing together nationally recognized artists, emerging musicians, educational ensembles, and community partners.
That experience reflects a broader part of Rodgers’ work: bringing artistic vision, practical execution, and organizational thinking together around creative projects.
EDUCATION + ORIGINAL WORK
A career built across disciplines.
Rodgers holds a B.M. in piano performance from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and an M.M. in commercial composition from Belmont University. He is also the author of Modern Etudes, a collection exploring contemporary approaches to technique, harmony, rhythm, and improvisation.
As a recording artist, he has released three albums as a leader: Songs for a Generation (2017), Doorways (2019), and Home (2025). Together, the projects reflect the same through-line that runs across his performing, arranging, teaching, and leadership work: curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to making the musical idea as clear as possible.
Songs for a Generation · 2017
Doorways · 2019
Home · 2025
WORK WITH DAVID
Let’s make something.
Recording, arranging, sessions, teaching, or a project that doesn’t fit neatly into one category—tell me what you’re working on.