This short story was posted on the East Bay Soul facebook page September 12th. 2010.

San Francisco 1968. At the time I was 16 and a junior in high school. Westmoor HS in Daly City, just south of The City. Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago were big then and I was way into them because of, well, you know, horn bands. So when they came to town to play Fillmore West or Winterland I was the first one there on Thursday night. In the past I’d buy a ticket for opening night and talk my way backstage.

The first time I met Lee Loughnane from Chicago or Lew Soloff from BS&T was simply walking up to them and introducing myself. Which I thought was pretty brave of me. But both were very kind to me and after a little trumpet talk, I’d ask if I could be on the guest list for the next 3 nights. No problem. And hanging out backstage was, well how cool was that! There was always 3 bands on the playbill and sometimes two shows a night. I knew then that I just had to play there one day. Wow, look how that turned out.

This particular gig in 1968 was with BS&T and Lew put me on the guest list. It was at Winterland and If my memory is correct the bill was Cream, Buddy Miles Band and BS&T. Security was of course tight, but I was able to get a back stage pass thru Lew. San Francisco’s who’s who of the music scene was out in full because of this shows bands and, remember I’m only 16, I’m thinking yes, I could definitely deal with this sort of career.

As posted on Strokeland:

Rosco’s Place II, the anxiously-awaited follow up to Roger Smith’s original Rosco’s Place, is here and ready to light a fire in the contemporary jazz world.

Featuring world-class musicians throughout, Roger takes us on a fanciful romp filled with delicious grooves, soulful changes, and well-crafted melodies. Roger is a true master of the keyboard and his technical abilities are astounding, yet he never lets the technical side of his playing overshadow the soulfulness.

Roger stretches out on the organ, piano, Rhodes, synthesizer, and bass and never fails to delight, alongside beautifully crafted solos from his many special guests. Many present and former members of Tower of Power make appearances on JAZZ ROSCO II, along with other stellar musicians.

Rosco’s Place. It’s a great hang.

Also check out Roger Smith’s great previous contemporary jazz release, SITTIN’ IN, and the original ROSCO’S PLACE, also available right here on Strokeland Records.

Rosco’s Place II will be available at other outlets like Amazon, CDbaby, Itunes and more on October 31st.

For more on Roger Smith and Rosco’s Place II go to:

Roger at Stokeland
Jazz Rosco or
Roger Smith On Myspace

As posted on Strokeland:

Rosco’s Place II, the anxiously-awaited follow up to Roger Smith’s original Rosco’s Place, is here and ready to light a fire in the contemporary jazz world.

Featuring world-class musicians throughout, Roger takes us on a fanciful romp filled with delicious grooves, soulful changes, and well-crafted melodies. Roger is a true master of the keyboard and his technical abilities are astounding, yet he never lets the technical side of his playing overshadow the soulfulness.

Roger stretches out on the organ, piano, Rhodes, synthesizer, and bass and never fails to delight, alongside beautifully crafted solos from his many special guests. Many present and former members of Tower of Power make appearances on JAZZ ROSCO II, along with other stellar musicians.

Rosco’s Place. It’s a great hang.

Also check out Roger Smith’s great previous contemporary jazz release, SITTIN’ IN, and the original ROSCO’S PLACE, also available right here on Strokeland Records.

Rosco’s Place II will be available at other outlets like Amazon, CDbaby, Itunes and more on October 31st.

For more on Roger Smith and Rosco’s Place II go to:

Roger at Stokeland
Jazz Rosco or
Roger Smith On Myspace