Artist description Multi-instrumentalist Roger Placer is hard to pin down stylistically. His music derives from the fusion of elements of rock, pop, jazz, and funk, but it's all uniquely him. Common threads, however, can be found. Fundamental to Roger's music is an attention to sonic detail, and a distinct leaning towards sounds that convey subtle emotions - ranging from sweetness to melancholy, and from pensiveness to exultation. Most is mellow in a smoldering sort of way, food for the imagination rather than in your face.

Music Style Evocative, organic, jazz-inflected instrumental rock

Musical Influences Pat Metheny, Steely Dan, Rush, Yes, Peter Gabriel, Level 42, Tears for Fears, Seal, Return to Forever, EW&F, '70's fusion and funk, '80's Brit-pop

Artist History Roger Placer has been composing and recording since 1984, using whatever he could afford. Starting in about 1991, his recordings actually started to sound reasonably good! In 1997, Roger released a self-produced CD, "The Happiness of Pursuit." Past projects have included Helun, a free improv trio that produced a 11 CD set of inspired performances, a stint as guitarist in the "official" Lucent Technologies band, and membership in Connecticut College bands Crosstalk, Redshift, Bedrock Fire Dept., and The Essentials.

Instruments Lots of guitars, electric bass, drums/perc, keys, occasional sequencing

Albums The Happiness of Pursuit (THOP Records, 1997); Solo Archipelago (Work in Progress)

Location Franklin Lakes, NJ - USA

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