Roger Neumann
Encyclopedia
Roger Neumann is a Los Angeles
-based jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer
, arranger
and music educator.
He has written arrangements for such notable performers as Count Basie
, Buddy Rich
, Ray Charles
and The Beach Boys
. In addition to his prolific career as a performer and composer, he is an active music educator not only in and around the Los Angeles area, but at venues across the country, including the annual Reggie Schive Jazz Camp at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa
., He is the principal director of Buddy Collette
's JazzAmerica, a non-profit organization now run by bassist Richard Simon, that provides free jazz education to young players. He is also a mentor for the L. A. Jazz Society in its jazz mentorship program for teenagers.
Neumann was born in 1941 in Minot, North Dakota
, lived for a short while in Akron, Ohio
, but moved to Spencer, Iowa
at age 5. He began studying soprano saxophone at a young age, under the tutelage of his father, Hugo Neumann—a professional trombone and saxophone player. In junior high, Roger switched to tenor saxophone, his main instrument to this day. The younger Neumann began playing professionally in the surrounding Northwest Iowa area while still in high school, before becoming a music major at Morningside College
in Sioux City
. While in high school and college he played and wrote arrangements for the Billy Redman Band, a 10-piece territory band. He spent many hours in jam sessions in the after-hours jazz clubs in Sioux City during the late 1950s and early 60s. After graduation from Morningside, Neumann toured with the Jack Gillespie Band from Minneapolis, and then joined the Lee Castle/Jimmy Dorsey Band, before becoming the public school band director in Guthrie Center, Ia. for 2 years.
In 1965, Neumann enrolled at the Berklee School of Music. After two years at Berklee, Neumann was offered a job by Woody Herman
to join Herman's Thundering Herd, with whom he toured for the balance of that year. Neumann is heard with that edition of the Herman band on the 1967 recording "Concerto For Herd," recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, soloing on "Big Sur Echo."
After moving to the Los Angeles area in the spring of '68, Neumann worked with a progression of outstanding groups, including the Bob Crosby Band, Les Brown & The Band Of Renown,Benny Carter, Ray Anthony, Tex Beneke, the Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra, and with jazz singing legend Anita O'Day
.
In 1975, he formed his own group, "Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band," consisting of the cream of the crop of West Coast jazz musicians. The band won immediate critical acclaim for two albums on the SeaBreeze Label, — Introducing Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band (1983) and Instant Heat (1994). Against all odds, both albums enjoyed a modicum of commercial success at a time when interest in big band jazz was on the wane—a tribute to Neumann's composition and arranging genius. Neumann's hard-driving arrangements for the Rather Large Band were executed by such veteran sidemen as Herman Riley
, Bob Enevoldsen
, Bob Hardaway, Herbie Harper
and John Heard
.
Neumann has also played baritone sax and contributed arrangements for the uniquely refreshing Phil Norman Tentet, which has recorded several CDs. He has appeared on screen in several movies, including "La Bamba!" starring Lou Diamond Phillps as '50s rock star Ritchie Valens
. In recent years Neumann has done more small group jazz playing, appearing regularly in several of the well-known jazz clubs in the L. A. area.
In 2002, Neumann won the LA Jazz Society's Award as JAZZ ARRANGER OF THE YEAR.
Neumann is married to singer Madeline Vergari. His "Rather Large Band" backed her on her own CD, entitled "This Is My Lucky Day!"
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
-based jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
and music educator.
He has written arrangements for such notable performers as Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
, Buddy Rich
Buddy Rich
Bernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
and The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
. In addition to his prolific career as a performer and composer, he is an active music educator not only in and around the Los Angeles area, but at venues across the country, including the annual Reggie Schive Jazz Camp at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa
Estherville, Iowa
Estherville is a city in Emmet County, Iowa, United States. The population was 6,360 in the 2010 census, a decline from 6,656 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Emmet County. Estherville is home to the main campus of Iowa Lakes Community College...
., He is the principal director of Buddy Collette
Buddy Collette
William Marcel "Buddy" Collette was an American tenor saxophonist, flautist, and clarinetist. He was highly influential in the West coast jazz and West Coast blues mediums, also collaborating with saxophonist Dexter Gordon, drummer Chico Hamilton, and his lifelong friend, bassist Charles...
's JazzAmerica, a non-profit organization now run by bassist Richard Simon, that provides free jazz education to young players. He is also a mentor for the L. A. Jazz Society in its jazz mentorship program for teenagers.
Neumann was born in 1941 in Minot, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, lived for a short while in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, but moved to Spencer, Iowa
Spencer, Iowa
Spencer is a city in the state of Iowa , and the county seat of Clay County . It is located at the confluence of the Little Sioux and Ocheyedan Rivers. The population was 11,233 in the 2010 census, a decline from 11,317 in the 2000 census. Spencer is famous as the home of the Clay County Fair,...
at age 5. He began studying soprano saxophone at a young age, under the tutelage of his father, Hugo Neumann—a professional trombone and saxophone player. In junior high, Roger switched to tenor saxophone, his main instrument to this day. The younger Neumann began playing professionally in the surrounding Northwest Iowa area while still in high school, before becoming a music major at Morningside College
Morningside College
Morningside College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church located in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morningside College is a private, four-year, co-educational liberal arts institution. Morningside has 21 buildings on a ...
in Sioux City
Sioux City, Iowa
Sioux City is a city in Plymouth and Woodbury counties in the western part of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 82,684 in the 2010 census, a decline from 85,013 in the 2000 census, which makes it currently the fourth largest city in the state....
. While in high school and college he played and wrote arrangements for the Billy Redman Band, a 10-piece territory band. He spent many hours in jam sessions in the after-hours jazz clubs in Sioux City during the late 1950s and early 60s. After graduation from Morningside, Neumann toured with the Jack Gillespie Band from Minneapolis, and then joined the Lee Castle/Jimmy Dorsey Band, before becoming the public school band director in Guthrie Center, Ia. for 2 years.
In 1965, Neumann enrolled at the Berklee School of Music. After two years at Berklee, Neumann was offered a job by Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
to join Herman's Thundering Herd, with whom he toured for the balance of that year. Neumann is heard with that edition of the Herman band on the 1967 recording "Concerto For Herd," recorded live at the Monterey Jazz Festival, soloing on "Big Sur Echo."
After moving to the Los Angeles area in the spring of '68, Neumann worked with a progression of outstanding groups, including the Bob Crosby Band, Les Brown & The Band Of Renown,Benny Carter, Ray Anthony, Tex Beneke, the Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra, and with jazz singing legend Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day was an American jazz singer.Born Anita Belle Colton, O'Day was admired for her sense of rhythm and dynamics, and her early big band appearances shattered the traditional image of the "girl singer"...
.
In 1975, he formed his own group, "Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band," consisting of the cream of the crop of West Coast jazz musicians. The band won immediate critical acclaim for two albums on the SeaBreeze Label, — Introducing Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band (1983) and Instant Heat (1994). Against all odds, both albums enjoyed a modicum of commercial success at a time when interest in big band jazz was on the wane—a tribute to Neumann's composition and arranging genius. Neumann's hard-driving arrangements for the Rather Large Band were executed by such veteran sidemen as Herman Riley
Herman Riley
Herman Riley was a tenor saxophone jazz performer. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was noted for his performances with, among others, Count Basie, Etta James and Jimmy Smith.-As Sideman:With Bobby Hutcherson...
, Bob Enevoldsen
Bob Enevoldsen
Bob Enevoldsen was a West Coast jazz tenor saxophonist and valve trombonist born in Billings, Montana, probably best known for his work with Marty Paich. He also did sessions with Art Pepper and Shorty Rogers, and later extensively played with Shelley Manne...
, Bob Hardaway, Herbie Harper
Herbie Harper
Herbie Harper jazz trombonist of the West Coast jazz school born in Salina, Kansas, though he first had his start playing swing music with the likes of Benny Goodman or Charlie Spivak in the 1940s and 1950s. Working on the West Coast jazz music scene, he performed with such musicians as Stan...
and John Heard
John Heard
John Heard, Jr. is an American actor well known for his recurring role as Peter McCallister, in the first two installments of the Home Alone movie series. In 2011 he appeared as Lehman Brothers COO Joe Gregory in Too Big to Fail, an HBO film. He also starred in Big.-Early life:Heard was born in...
.
Neumann has also played baritone sax and contributed arrangements for the uniquely refreshing Phil Norman Tentet, which has recorded several CDs. He has appeared on screen in several movies, including "La Bamba!" starring Lou Diamond Phillps as '50s rock star Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens
Ritchie Valens was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and guitarist....
. In recent years Neumann has done more small group jazz playing, appearing regularly in several of the well-known jazz clubs in the L. A. area.
In 2002, Neumann won the LA Jazz Society's Award as JAZZ ARRANGER OF THE YEAR.
Neumann is married to singer Madeline Vergari. His "Rather Large Band" backed her on her own CD, entitled "This Is My Lucky Day!"
External links
- All About Jazz - Roger Neumann
- [ allmusic - Roger Neumann]
- Instant Heat
- Introducing Roger Neumann's Rather Large Band