Rod Tate is a saxophonist/songwriter, and recording artist.
He performs Smooth/Contemporary Jazz, Praise & Worship, Gospel Jazz and R&B.
Rod is based out of his hometown, St. Louis, MO.
Rod is a full time musician that performs primarily track dates as a solo act and as a duo, "The 2Smooth Duo" with guitarist, Gregg "Happy Guitar" Haynes.
Rod attended Normandy High School in St. Louis Missouri. He was part of the music program under the direction of Bob Boedges. He was a member of the top Jazz Band (Norseman), Concert, and Marching bands. In his freshman year he was the first freshman in the history of the school to make the top jazz band. In his senior year he was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz award, which is given each year to the senior who shows great promise in the jazz arena.
After high school, Rod attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. He was part of the music program under the direction of Brett Stamps, where his focus was Jazz performance . He was a member of the Jazz bands, combos, studied theory and the business of music. During his college days, is when his love of jazz intensified, in particular Traditional/Straight Ahead Jazz.
As a performer he has opened for contemporary jazz group Spyro Gyra, Pieces of A Dream, Chuck Loeb, Bob Baldwin, Marion Meadows, Phil Perry, Ramsey Lewis, Legendary Poet Sonia Sanchez, The Temptations, Howard Hewitt, Eddie LeVert and Lonnie Liston Smith. He has opened for Gospel artists Richard Smallwood, Anthony Brown, John P. Kee and Gospel jazz keyboardist Ben Tankard, comedian /actor Tommy Davidson, Tavis Smiley, as well as, Hall of famer, Ozzie Smith. He was the entertainment for comedian/actor Joe Torry's wedding.
Rod has appeared on B.E.T.'s segment of Jazz Discoveries. He has appeared on St. Louis' Fox(Channel 2) morning show. He has appeared on St. Louis' Show Me St. Louis on KSDK(Channel 5).
Rod was a musical guest on Trinity Broadcasting Networks "Praise The Lord" Program.
Rod's music can be heard or has been heard on Pandora Radio, SmoothJazz.com, The Weather Channel, Music Choice, DMX Music and many radio stations across the world.
Rod was named smooth jazz artist of the month on EchoSmoothJazz.com
Rod was named smooth jazz artist of the month on Whitester Radio-Smoothjazz.com
As an artist, performer, songwriter and musician Rod's goals are to continue to learn, grow, and to touch lives positively through his musical expressions. As a songwriter, Rod's motto is: " This music is intended to soothe your soul and speak love to your spirit ". Rod also aspires to have his music in movies, commercials, and television programming.