Bio

Originally from Terre Haute, Indiana, Roger has had an extensive musical career. He has performed, traveled and recorded with such artists as Les Brown and His Band of Renown, Harry James, Rosemary Clooney, Sam Butera, Tony Bennett, Ray Conniff, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco and Carl Fontana. He and his wife Lori Mechem moved to Nashville in 1988 where he records, performs, and teaches. Roger attended Indiana University, studying under David Baker in Jazz Studies, and graduated from Indiana State with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Besides performing and recording with Lori, Roger is a longtime member of the Beegie Adair Trio, and is also on the faculty at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music. Roger and Lori founded and direct the Nashville Jazz Workshop, where Roger teaches improvisation, theory, and ensembles.

Adjunct Artist Teacher of Jazz Ensemble

Bass student of Robert Goodlett, John Clayton, Frank Gallagher, and Arni Egilsson. Additional jazz studies with David N. Baker and Charlie Shoemake. Jazz and recording bassist in Los Angeles 1975-1988, Nashville since 1988. Orchestras: Santa Monica Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Modern String Orchestra. Big Bands: Harry James, Les Brown, Nelson Riddle, Louis Bellson, and Bill Holman. Small groups with Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Carl Fontana, Alphonse Mouzon, Page Cavanaugh, Pete Christlieb and Beegie Adair. Artistic Director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Blair School since 2002.