A native of Colorado Springs, 27-year old Roger started playing clarinet at age 10, after finding his sister's old clarinet in the closet. He excelled in classical music for over ten years, performing in over twelve honor bands including Colorado All-State Band, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony and the CU Honor Band. He won numerous solo and ensemble competitions and earned a scholarship to CU Boulder which he attended from 1988-1992.

The interest in jazz began in high school after attending a Preservation Hall Jazz Band concert with his dad. He started the Revelation Dixieland Jazz Band while in high school and won the first Danny Stevenson Memorial Scholarship from the Pikes Peak Jaz z and Swing Society in 1988. In college, Roger played with the UCD Claimjumpers for two years. In February, 1989, he started the Pearl Street Jazz Band (not knowing this band existed under the leadership of Neil Fisher...and later having the Fishers graci ously agree the use of the name was not an issue - they were glad another young band had picked up the name).

Pearl Street Jazz Band has now earned an enviable reputation. They've traveled to the Sacramento Festival three times, appeared in the Central City Festival three times, and at the Milwaukee Jazz Festival once. Of three recorded albums, two are sold out. Roger will soon travel to Germany for a ten-day tour with a band formed by Bill Clark based on his UCD Claimjumpers and alumni.

Roger currently works as a Business Analyst for First Trust Corporation and works with the Fred Moldenhauer Sextet in addition to Pearl Street. He is proud to announce the birth of his first son, Zachary Christian, born April 19, 1997.