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Today's Featured Biography
Roger J Wright
While attending ECVHS I was active in the Marching, Concert, Pep, and Jazz Bands, as well as the Orchestra, for all 4 years, under the direction of Benton Minor. I was also on the staff of the school newspaper (art editor & editorial writer) under the advisement of Raymond Kniss. Upon graduation, I remember receiving a school award called the "Sterling E," but I have no memory as to what it was for.
After graduation in 1963, I attended San Diego State College. I paid for my tuition, by working as a professional musician, in San Diego, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Arizona, Nashville Tenn., Laughlin and Las Vegas Nevada. I was also in the "House Band" at a teenage nightclub in La Mesa, called the "Cinnamon Cinder."
I played in groups led by Stan Kenton, Doc Severinsen, Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, Marvin Hamlish, Nelson Riddle, and many others.
I was a musician for Disney on Ice, Ice Capades, Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice,and Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey Circus,to name a few.
I have performed with the Civic Light "Starlight" Opera Orchestra, San Diego Opera Orchestra, the San Diego Charger's Big Band...and I also worked with Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.
Some of the entertainers I have backed include: Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Jack Jones, Englebert Humperdink, Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, Paul Anka, Frankie Avalon, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sammy Davis Jr., Lou Rawls, Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell, Wayne Newton, Andy Williams, Sonny & Cher, the 4 Tops, The Spinners, The Temptations, Barry Manilow, Clay Aiken, and Elvis Presley.
I am presently performing with various local groups including: Classic Brass, Select Brass, Premier Brass, The San Diego Lyric Opera Orchestra, The San Diego Festival Orchestra, The Bill Green Orchestra, The Gary LeFebvre Jazz All Stars, The Brad Steinwehe Jazz Orchestra, Society Beat, and the Benny Hollman Big Band. I also, upon occasion, play in various "Show Bands," at Viejas, Pechanga, Soboba, Sycuan, Harrah's, and Pala Casinos.
My wife, Pamela, owns her own music store, "The Music Room," in Escondido. She also performs in her own trio, "After Hours," all over San Diego County.
My oldest daughter, Tiffany, is a doctor of veterinary medicine in Sunnyvale, California. My son, Cody, teaches music technology at the Apple Computer campus in Cupertino, California. They also fly him all over the world to train music specialists for all of the Apple Stores. My youngest...Chelsea, and Casey (twins), are presently attending college, in the San Diego area.
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