Roger Smith

The title of Roger Smith's hit "Off the Hook" is a misnomer. Its infectious groove and Roger's contagious keyboard riffs are getting listeners all across the nation hooked.

"Off the Hook" is the first song to be released off Roger's premiere album on the Miramar label, "Both Sides." There's no contradiction in the album title, however. The album shows two sides of the artist: the one who can pen some of the craftiest, catchiest tunes in smooth jazz today, and the one who can cover songs by Seal, Eric Clapton and Stevie WonderÖ and make them all his own.

Roger's talents are something recording artists have known for years. From his early days on the Austin, Texas, music scene, Roger has been a sought-after musician and music producer. He has played for a diverse Who's Who of recording artists that includes rock star Jeff Beck, R&B vocalist Gladys Knight and country legend Willie Nelson, and has served as music director of Coke Esconvido and Club Nouveau. But jazz is where his true talents lie.

"Years ago, an old blues organist told me that I should learn to play any style of music to round out my own style," Roger says. "It's been a challenge for me to go from rock to country to blues to jazz, but it has really honed my particular quirky style.

As he concentrated that style on jazz, he worked with some of the giants in Smooth Jazz, including Peter White, Rick Braun, Phil Perry, and Gerald Albright. It is White who, as he watches Roger's solo work go up the Smooth Jazz charts, doesn't know whether to cheer or cry. After all, it isn't easy replacing such a versatile, talented keyboardist.

It is Roger's incredible stage presence that has landed him on the Guitars, Saxes & More Tour, featuring top Smooth Jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Peter White, Marc Antonie and Everette Harp. The tour will cover most major U.S. cities beginning in Jun 1999. You might also see Roger playing keyboards and Hammond B-3 organ on stage in your city with the bay area famed group, Tower of Power.

"Roger's a delight to work with and a very talented guy who lights up the stage whenever he plays. That combination will be tough to find," said White. "He's a very happy guy, and is always being described as a larger-than-life presence on stage, and audiences really respond to his intensity."

That intensity is apparent on "Both Sides," and so is Roger's softer side. Produced by noted producer/artist Ronnie Foster, the album moves from the funkiness of "Off the Hook," to the rolling rhythm of the title track, to the sultry "In Your Arms," with vocals by Susaye Green Coton.

Besides Foster, "Off the Hook" features some of the finest musicians today. Gerald Albright lends his distinctive sax playing on the original "Comes WIth the Deal," saxophonist Nelson Rangell wails on the jazzed-up version of Clapton's "Change the World," and percussionist Luis Conte brings a Latin flavor to "Mix IT With Love." Guitarist supreme Paul Jackson Jr. is featured with classy guitar stylings throughout the album.

The album ends with a playful keyboard solo appropriately title "Hopscotch." In one word, that sums up "Both Sides": Its just plain fun!