Contact RogWallace Music at: rogwallace@comcast.net
Roger has had a long and varied career in music. He joined the Musicians’ Union in Fort Worth, TX, in 1966 while attending North Texas State University (now UNT) and is a Life Member of American Federation of Musicians Local 47, Los Angeles (joined in 1969). From 1970 to 1982, Roger worked full time in Los Angeles, CA, as an arranger, copyist and instrumentalist in the production of music for records, commercials, television, motion pictures and publishing.
Roger has performed and/or recorded with:
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (Warren Covington, Leader), Stan Kenton, Don Ellis, Buddy DeFranco, Bob Eberly, Helen O’Connell, Cat Anderson, Al Aarons, George Bohannon, Oscar Brashear, Buddy Collette, Blue Mitchell, Wilton Felder, Herman Riley, Jackie Kelso, Frank Rosolino, Joe Roccisano, Steve Hideg, Canned Heat, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Willie Bobo, Freddy Robinson, The O’Jays, Spike Jones, Jr., Claude Gordon, Ted Nichols, Monk Higgins, John Prince, Dave Eshelman, Michael Francis, Norman Mamey, Stewart Undem, Collegiate Neophonic Orchestra (Jack Wheaton, Director), De Anza Daddios Big Band (Herbert “Doc” Patnoe, Director)
He has arranged/transcribed/copied music for:
Neil Diamond, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Robbie Robertson (The Band), Peggy Lee, Lena Horne, Edie Adams, Rita Coolidge, John Denver, Paul Williams, Jose Feliciano, Jim Nabors, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Gabe Kaplan, Linda Crystal, Richard Dean Anderson, Bert Convy, Paul Balfour, Tommy Leonetti, Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren, Earl Klugh, Cedar Walton, Booker T. Jones, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Gene Harris (The Three Sounds), Willie Bobo, Papa John Creach, Freddy Robinson, Horace Heidt, Jr., Shields & Yarnell, Erik Braunn (Iron Butterfly), Manhattan Transfer, Spiral Staircase, Air Supply, Margie Evans, Frank Lucas, Cliff De Young, Van Dunson, Rick Moses, Leon Ware, Tyrone Davis, Patti York, Richard Maltby, Al De Lory, Perry Botkin, Jr., Harry Betts, Jimmy Bryant, Dan Foliart, Howard Pearl, Ted Nichols, Pete Candoli, Tommy Pederson, Tom Pedrini III, David Wheatley, Miles Grayson, Stu Gardner, Monk Higgins, Norman Mamey, Stewart Undem
Education:
Roger studied jazz and performed with Dr. Herbert “Doc” Patnoe during his high school years and while attending Foothill College, CA, 1964-1966. He studied trombone with Bobby “Butter” Burgess in 1967 (in Dallas, TX) while attending North Texas State University. Roger also studied music at California State Universities at Northridge and Los Angeles (1969-1970).
1971-2006: 562nd Air Force Band, California Air National Guard
Roger served as Band Manager from 1978 to 2006 - responsible for personnel, resources, logistics and scheduling. He performed on trombone, horn and euphonium. As with other units of the National Guard, the band meets two days a month and two weeks each summer to perform as a concert band, marching band, jazz ensemble, jazz combo or other special ensemble. Additional duty Brass Quintet performances averaged one per week from 2002 to 2006.
Community Involvement:
Charter member of the Moorpark Symphony Orchestra - First Horn from 1989 to 2007.
Charter member of the Gold Coast Wind Ensemble - from 1991 to 2007 (Third Horn, Bass Trombone, First Euphonium).
Ventura British Brass - First Trombone from 2006 to 2007.
Instrumental soloist at Moorpark (CA) Presbyterian Church from 1990 to 2007.
Since 2008, Roger has enjoyed "retirement" near Tucson, AZ, where he performs in various ensembles. He continues to arrange music for trombone, jazz band and other groups.
Many of his arrangements are now available at Sheet Music Plus and Sheet Music Direct.
Acknowledgements: Recognizing influencers in the development of the Christmas collection.
Stewart Undem: Trombonist, Band Leader and Music Educator, who faithfully hosted Trombone Christmas performances for many years in Southern California. The original Trombone Quartet and Quintet Christmas arrangements in this site were created beginning in 2010 for his annual gathering.
Barbara Chinworth: Hornist, Bassist and British Brass Band Director in Tucson, AZ, who suggested rescoring the Trombone Quartet version of Feliz Navidad for Horns (in 2015).
Jonovan Cooper: Saxophonist and Music Educator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (in 2018), who inspired the rescoring of Christmas brass arrangements for mixed instruments such as woodwinds and strings.
Dr. Michael Rocha: Trombonist and Group Leader in Dartmouth, MA, who suggested trio versions of the arrangements (Christmas and some standards) due to a shortage of players during COVID-19.
Hal Leonard Music Publishing: Introduced a new program in 2019 encouraging arrangers to submit music for distribution by its subsidiaries, Sheet Music Plus and Sheet Music Direct. This allows for continued availability without hands-on management.
Thanks also to the many educators and fellow musicians from whom I have learned so much during my 70+ years as a musician.
Finally - and most important: I thank God for the gift of music.