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Teri Roiger

About Me

My Jazz Story

There's nothing that makes me feel more free than Playing, Singing & Listening to Jazz. To me it represents Freedom Of Expression, Joy, and Hope. I was first exposed to Jazz in my early 20s when I heard the music of Billie Holiday, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Betty Carter, etc. I studied Jazz Piano at that time with stride piano legend Butch Thompson, and then started singing with him. I eventually moved from Minneapolis to New York City to be at the center of Jazz, and then to Woodstock where I met Jazz Legends Jack DeJohnette and Kenny Burrell, as well as my husband the fabulous Jazz Bassist John Menegon. The four of us recorded an album called MISTERIOSO and we are releasing a remixed and remastered version on vinyl in 2024! My first jazz record was given to me in Minneapolis by the Hall Brothers Jazz Band members, and it was a vinyl of Billie Holiday. I then heard Charlie Parker with Strings, Sarah Vaughan Live In Japan, Ella in Berlin, on and on. My Jazz Life continues . . . Betty Carter once told me "perseverance is the key!"

My House Concert Story

I, along with John Menegon (aka Jazzstock) host Jazz Concerts at a venue in Kingston called Senate Garate. In a way they are like house concerts because we set up chairs, sound system, bar, and do all the promoting. Check it out on instagram at Jazzstock1