JazzWorld's Comments

b. 16th September 1958, Berkeley, California, U.S.A.

Born in Berkeley, California, in 1958, Rodney was taking jazz piano lessons by the age of six at Washington Elementary School.

His Administrator at the school was Dr Herb Wong, a noted jazz journalist, DJ and teacher.

Prior to signing with CBS in 1978, Rodney worked extensively with John Handy in San Francisco, and toured with Bill Summers, Freddle Hubbard and Marlena Shaw.

His debut CBS album was 'In The Center' (1978), an underground jazz fusion album (not released in the UK) featuring 'On The Path' and 'I Like The Music Make It Hot' (with Freddie Hubbard).

1980's 'You'll Never Know' saw some major chart success with 'The Groove' (UK Top 10), even creating a brief UK dance craze 'The Freeze' (instigated by disc jockey Chris Hill).

His other CBS albums were 'Rodney Franklin'(1980), 'Endless Flight' (1981), 'Learning To Love' (1982), 'Marathon' (1984), produced by Stanley Clarke, 'Skydance' (1985) and 'It Takes Two' (1986).

In 1988 he switched to BMG for 'Diamond Inside Of You' which featured lead vocals by Jennifer Holliday on the single 'Gotta Give It Up'.

Rodney has also released 'Love Dancin' for Nova.