Teri Roiger

Teri Roiger has been making music all her life (since age 5!) and over the years her music has taken many exciting twists and turns. Teri is a jazz vocalist, but also plays piano, composes music and writes lyrics. She has been sharing her knowledge and inspiration with her many students at SUNY New Paltz for several years. The depth of her experiences and love of jazz is apparent when she brings all of her talents to a live performance, the recording studio, and in her compositions.

Her latest recording, her most personal and powerful to date, was released by Dot Time Records in 2017, and is her fourth release as a bandleader – GHOST OF YESTERDAY: Shades of Lady Day — a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday, to coincide with Lady Day's 102nd birth year. Noting that Ms. Holiday provided the initial spark that led to a lifelong commitment to jazz, Teri says, “This recording brings me full circle. I was immediately moved upon first hearing Holiday’s recordings. I felt all kinds of emotions I didn’t know how to express; emotions I hadn’t felt before, and it awakened something in me that I treasure. This tribute is something I've wanted to do since I began singing Billie Holiday’s music in my 20’s. In spite of her challenges, Billie was able to persevere and make incredible music that was filled not only with sorrow, but also with joy. I’m in awe of that ability.” On this multi- dimensional project, Roiger celebrates and honors Lady Day’s legacy by showing the many facets of Billie – her ebullient joy, her rebellious spirit, her rich sensuality, and the depth of her blues. In addition to recording re- imagined versions of Billie classics, Roiger also includes some interesting songs inspired by Billie, one of which appears here on disc for the first time with Teri’s original lyrics, as well as the Gil Scott-Heron classic Lady Day and John Coltrane. This CD was chosen by acclaimed jazz author Scott Yanow as one of the top 30 Jazz CDs of 2017.

In September 2012 Teri released her third CD as a bandleader called DEAR ABBEY: THE MUSIC OF ABBEY LINCOLN, a collection of songs written by Abbey Lincoln, on Inner Circle Music. The music is heartfelt, exciting, swingin’, nourishing, traditional, yet modern, and John’s arrangements fit the timbre and feeling of Teri’s voice perfectly. Frank Kimbrough is on piano, John Menegon on bass, and Steve Williams on drums (of Shirley Horn fame)! This CD was chosen by Laurence Donohue-Greene of "New York City Jazz Record" as one of the top 5 vocal jazz releases of 2012!

Several years ago John and Teri recorded, arranged, and produced their first CD with jazz legends Kenny Burrell and Jack DeJohnette entitled MISTERIOSO, which includes jazz standards and original compositions. The Monk family approved Teri’s lyrics for MISTERIOSO, now titled Listen To Your Soul with Teri’s lyrics.

Teri’s acclaimed composition STILL LIFE is the title track of her second recording. This composition won third prize in the jazz category in the prestigious, world-renowned International Songwriting Competition, a competition recognized by the New York Times as one of the best in the world. The musicians on this CD include Frank Kimbrough on piano, Gil Goldstein on accordion, John Menegon on bass, and Matt Wilson on drums.

Over a seven-year period, Teri developed and presented four courses at Williams College (Williamstown, MA) on the music of Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk, Brazilian Music, and Vocal Jazz Ensemble Performance.

In 2011 Teri, along with her husband John Menegon, composed and scored the music for the documentary film BEYOND ICONIC about the renowned photographer Dennis Stock. Directed by Hanna Sawka, this film was premiered this fall at the prestigious Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, and also in New York City at the doc film festival. It was one of the top ten finalists at the Sao Paulo Film Festival.

Teri has been an integral member of the SUNY New Paltz Jazz Program (New Paltz, NY) for over twenty years. She teaches Jazz Voice, the History of Jazz, and Vocal Jazz Ensembles, and the History of Rock.

Roiger has been active on the jazz scene for many years, performing all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. In January of 2012 Teri and John both performed and taught at the 8th Annual Panama Jazz Festival in Panama City. In the summer of 2011, Teri and John created an ongoing jazz festival in Woodstock called JAZZSTOCK, bringing great jazz artists to the Hudson Valley. www.jazzstock.com
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