FEATURE: CeCe Rogers - Soulful House

CeCe Rogers, (born Kenneth Jesse Rogers III, is an American singer, musician, and record producer from Cleveland, Ohio.

He was given the nickname CeCe by James Brown, who watched him performing at 11 years of age, imitating Chubby Checker.[1] Rogers is hailed as one of the most successful male vocalists in house music. In 1987, CeCe recorded the track "Someday" in collaboration with Marshall Jefferson, to this day, the song is seen as a anthem in the genre of house music, having been rated number 3 in MixMags's 100 Greatest Singles of All Time.

Born, Kenneth Jesse Rogers III, Rogers attended Shaw High School in East Cleveland, Ohio and Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts. CeCe began studying piano at the age of five. His mother, a music teacher, introduced him to gospel, the genre that forms his musical foundation. He was considered a child prodigy and at the age of 9, CeCe was a featured musician on the weekly television program "The Gene Carroll Show".

Moving to the New York area in 1984, CeCe taught voice and piano, as well as doing session work with such artist as Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, and Curtis Hairston. He also formed his own group, CeCe & Company, whose repertoire included jazz and R&B tunes. Some of the group's vocalist at the time were Sybil Lynch, Adeva, and Kenny Bobien.

In 1987 CeCe recorded the track "Someday" with Marshall Jefferson and was immediately signed to Atlantic Records making "Someday" the first house song signed by a major label. This song sold millions worldwide and would be remade several times. It appeared in the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, playing on House Music radio station SF-UR.

Not realizing the massive appeal house music was having in Europe, CeCe moved away from the house scene and released his debut album "CeCe Rogers" in 1989. The album was a mix of R&B and Hip Hop tracks that received rave reviews but poor sales. His second album "Never Give Up" 1991 also fell to chart selling only 300,000 units. CeCe was cut from Atlantic and went back to doing session work singing backgrounds for TV Commercials and playing keyboards. In 1993, David Morales recruited CeCe to work on his debut album "Games".He worked on many of David's remix projects including "The Best Things In Life Are Free" Janet Jackson & Luther Vandross, and Sister Act, the Soundtrack. CeCe has produced many songs with his friend and partner Marshall Jefferson.

In 1989,CeCe wrote and produced the UK Hit "Got to get you back" for Kym Mazelle.

The house scene grew quickly, starting out in Chicago and establishing roots in New Jersey. The Jersey House Sound combines house with R&B,gospel melodies infused with deep vocals.Club Zanzibar, Movin Records,Club 88 became popular spots where the house heads would gather. A favorite in Europe especially in Northern UK. Soulful House was boosted in Europe when CeCe toured with Marshall Jefferson. His gospel trained voice belting over the house driven, piano stomping beat brought CeCe legendary status in the soulful house movement.

In 1994, CeCe recorded a string of hits with the Italian band Jestofunk. This would lead to three world tours. After five years with Jestofunk, CeCe decided to stop touring and give teaching a try. His plan was to teach only a year. Seeing the need for more African American male teachers in the urban community, CeCe taught music production for eight years at the Essex County Vocational School in New Jersey. He quickly became a supervisor for the district and formed a gospel choir that won many competitions including the McDonald's Gospelfest and Cherry Blossom music festival.

2004 saw another collaboration with a famous Italian, Dj Tommy Vee, (Grande Fratello). The duo combined the strings of "La Serenissima" "Rondo Veneziano" and CeCe's unique soulful voice to this "Venezian Theme", that resulted in the Italian hit "Stay".

Originally signed by Atlantic Records, CeCe Rogers recorded a number of late 1980s and early 1990s club classics and two albums for the label. Rogers now records for New Jersey-based USB Records, which he owns with Jefferson. In 2007, he recorded a new version of "Someday".

CeCe has gone back to gospel, the music that forms his musical foundation. in 2008 he wrote and starred in a gospel musical called "Stand Up the Gospel Revolution"

2009, CeCe has released his 4th solo album " The Evolution of Gospel House" and is touring Europe with his new musical "Stand Up the new revolution"

Discography

Ce Ce Rogers - Atlantic 82021 (1989)
Never Give Up - Atlantic 82286 (1991)
Someday" (12") - Atlantic (1987)
"Forever/Someday" (12",W/Lbl) - Atlantic (1989)
All Join Hands" (12") - Atlantic (1990)
Thick Girlz" (12") - Atlantic (1991)
Brothers & Sisters" (12", Promo) - Atlantic (1992)
Can We Live" (12") - Club Tools (1994)
No Love Lost" (12") - Groove On (1994)
Can We Live?" (CD, Maxi) - Deconstructed Music (1995)
Come Together" (The Mixes) (CD, Maxi) AM:PM (1995)
In The Morning" (CD, Maxi) Jellybean Recordings (1996)
My Sweet Lord" (12") Not On Label (1997)
Superstar" (12") Blackjack Phonographics (1997)
Movin' On" (2x12") SoulShine Recordings (1998)
Happy" (12") Club Tools (1999)
Gimme Your Love" (CD, Maxi) Feel The Rhythm (2000)
Come On & Dance" (Grant Nelson Mixes) (12") Swing City Records (2004)
It's Alright" (12") Swing City Records (2005)
Beautiful" (12", S/Sided, Promo, W/Lbl) USB Records (2008)

-- #88 Posted on Saturday, January 9, 2010 --