A major pianist . . . A gorgeous display of effortlessly flowing melody, rhapsodic bravura and electrifying passagework . . . freshly conceived and spontaneous.” WashingtonPost
A native Texan, pianist Roger Wright has performed to critical acclaim in major music centers in the United States and abroad including New York City, Washington D.C., Chicago, San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, San Jose, Fort Worth, Santa Fe, Munich, Berlin, Pretoria and Dublin. Some of the orchestras he has appeared with include the Houston Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic, Mission Chamber Orchestra in San Jose, California, Glacier Symphony in Kalispell, Montana, and the University of Texas at San Antonio Orchestra. Though he is often compared to the greatest piano virtuosos, what sets him apart is his sensitivity to piano sound, his musical insight, and his artistic intelligence. He has received rave reviews in such publications as American Record Guide and Clavier, and has been featured in numerous television and radio broadcasts for KENS(CBS), WOAI (NBC ), KABB Fox 29, Texas Public Radio, A BC Australia, CBC Radio Canada, 105.1 K-Mozart in Los Angeles, WFMT-FM Chicago, WQXR in New York City, and David Dubal's celebrated series Reflections from the Keyboard. A versatile performer, Wright is also in demand as a chamber musician and has made recent guest artist appearances with the Las Vegas Philharmonic (Connoisseur Series), the Taos Chamber Music Group, and the Classical Encounters Foundation in Tarzana, California.
Some career highlights include his debut performance at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall and the release of his debut album, Piano Masterpieces , by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The recording was in response to the overwhelming support he received from the audience, radio listeners and critics during his participation in the 2000 Sydney International Piano Competition. Music critic, Neville Cohen rated the album as “CD of the Year” (the West Australian, January 2001). The massive airplay Piano Masterpieces received earned composer Peter Sculthorpe the Australian Performing Rights Association (APRA) award for the Most Performed Contemporary Classical Composition of 2001.
Other highlights include a recent collaboration with Dick Van Dyke, performing in “Wall to Wall Stephen Sondheim,” a gala event at Symphony Space in New York City, and co-producing an album with Michael York.
A frequent award winner in competitions, Mr. Wright received first place in the San Antonio International Piano Competition; the Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition (New York); the Midland/Odessa (TX) National Young Artist Competition; the Corpus Christi (TX) Young Artists Competition (Piano and Concerto); the Houston Tuesday Musical Club Competition and second place in the Shreveport (LA) Symphony/Wideman Concerto Competition and the prestigious Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Artist Competition. He was a finalist in the Esther Honens Calgary International Piano Competition and was one of 32 competitors selected worldwide for the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he was an audience favorite.
Wright enjoys meeting and interacting with children and young performers whenever possible, whether in master class, accompanying children in musical theatre, or teaching. During this last year, he had the rewarding experience of working and coaching children with special needs.
The Houston-born artist received his bachelor's degree magna cum laude from the University of Houston and his master's degree from Rice University. His principal teachers have been John and Nancy Weems, Ruth Tomfohrde and Abby Simon, Horatio Guiterrez and John Perry.
Mr. Wright is a serious Scrabble player. In 2004, he was winner of the National Scrabble Championship, a five-day tournament held in New Orleans, which led to appearances on ABC's The Jimmy Kimmel Show, NBC's Identity and The Today Show, CBS Good Morning America, as well as ESPN, CNN and GSN's Lingo.
Roger Wright currently resides in Los Angeles where he enjoys performing, teaching, collaborating and composing his own music.