News and Announcements
Sittin' In Released June 6, 2008
Roger's new contemporary jazz CD, Sittin' In, was released on June 6, 2008. You can order this CD right now via the Strokeland Records Web site, Amazon.com, CDBaby.com, or you can get the digital version at any of these Web sites: Amazon.com, eMusic.com, Napster.com, Real.com, or Yahoo.com. UPDATE 6/30/2008: The CD is now available to download directly from Apple's iTunes Music Store: 
. At this writing, it is already #2 in new jazz airplay releases nationwide. It is simply terrific, with a wide range of styles from laid back and smooth to upbeat and funky, featuring everything from Latin to Gospel influences, perhaps Roger's best work ever: hear samples from this CD. Pick up your copy today!
New Jazz Rosco CD Coming Soon!
We are delighted to announce that, in addition to the great CD mentioned above, the new Jazz Rosco CD from Roger Smith is in the works and is also scheduled for release in 2008. Initially these CDs will be available exclusively through Strokeland Records.
Roger Tours Japan with Tower of Power
Tower of Power recently played 14 shows in 10 days in May 2008. Roger handled keyboard duties for this successful tour. Here are some photographs of folks you might recognize that Roger ran into while in Japan:
ABOVE: Roger Smith (right) with the one-and-only Pee Wee Ellis.
ABOVE: Roger Smith (right) with the legendary trombonist Fred Wesley.
ABOVE: Roger Smith (right) with the legendary B-3 master, Dr. Lonnie Smith (left), and Mr. M. Suzuki (yes, THAT Suzuki!).
ABOVE: Roger Smith (left) with Japan's #1 organist, Daiuke Kawai.
ABOVE: Roger Smith (right) with Dennis Chambers.
ABOVE: Three GREAT keyboardists check out the Hammond XK-3c: From left, Daiuke Kawai, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Roger Smith.
New Jazz CD Taking Shape
ABOVE: Trumpeter James Zollar and saxophonist Charles O'Neal recently stopped by Roger's recording studio to lay down a track for Roger's new CD.
ABOVE: Eric Nemeyer, editor of Jazz Improv magazine, joined Roger for his new CD release.
Stay tuned for more information about Roger's new CD!
Roger Smith Music chosen for AroundIndy Podcasts
AroundIndy.com features Roger Smith's music twice a week in their daily events podcasts. It is the #1 ranked Indianapolis daily podcast on Apple's iTunes Music Store. Check it out at: http://www.aroundindy.com/freestuff.php.
Jazz Rosco at San Jose Jazz Festival
Roger Smith featuring Jazz Rosco recently appeared at the San Jose Jazz Festival. The musicians in this combo include David Garibaldi on drums, Tom E. Politzer or Charles McNeal on saxophone, Ray Obiedo on guitar and Curtis Ohlson on bass.
Roger Smith featuring Jazz Rosco appeared live at the 17th annual San Jose Jazz Festival, highlighted by a surprise performance with Jazz Rosco by the legendary B-3 Master, Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Rosco's Place CD Now Available!
The Jazz Rosco CD is
available for purchase online on the Strokeland Records Web site. Just $15.00. Check it
out and get your copy today at: http://www.strokeland.com/html/jazz.html.
Jazz Rosco's
Place was released nationally to all jazz stations in North
America in July 2004. The CD is available at online retailers such as CDBaby.com, Amazon.com,
and others.
AT RIGHT: Roger Smith on the B-3 at the Jaxx Nightclub in Alexandria, Virginia, April 2003. Photo by Matt Lofton (provided by Donnie Walton).
Live Jam, Pure Jazz, All Natural
Read the Press Release for Rosco's Place CD at this address: http://www.jazzrosco.com/pressrelease.htm.
DustyGroove.com Review of Jazz Rosco's Place
"Mellow and cooking
Hammond from Jazz Rosco -- a combo led by organist Roger Smith, and
featuring some great guitar work from Ray Obeido! The feel here is nice
and stripped down -- a bit like some of Reuben Wilson's work in recent
years, with a mellower take on the classic jazz funk groove of the 70s
-- and a sound that spins out with some really warm touches. Most tracks
feature a simple organ, guitar, bass, and drums lineup -- recorded live,
but with some really sparkling touches that help hold the set together
even more strongly. Titles include "Sloppy Joes", "Preface
To Insanity", "Good Question", "Ray O's Bounce",
"All About You", and "Cape Town Jump"." See http://www.dustygroove.com/jazzcd3.htm.
PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Schwartzenberg, Milford, CT.