Music is for the soul. That’s the premise on which Roger A. Ryan has built his musical career. Born in Trinidad, W.I., Roger began playing the piano at age 4 and was playing in churches by the time he turned 8. He later moved to New York and then Florida along with his family and continued his study of music. Roger is a graduate of Oakwood College where he majored in Piano Performance and undertook numerous musical endeavors, including directorship of choirs and small groups. His talent would later take him abroad to Australia, the Fiji Islands and other International locations with the Christian group the Heritage Singers. In the following years, Roger began his graduate studies in Music Arranging and launched his producing career. Roger’s considerable experience and work has run the full spectrum of the industry and spanned a wide range of genres. Among the highlights of his career are his years as Music Director for Gospel diva Cece Winans and as musician with Country/Pop great Winona Judd. Roger has been nominated for Grammy and Dove Awards. Also a talented composer, Roger has written and/or arranged music for various recording artists such Yolanda Adams, Alvin Slaughter, and others. Roger has enjoyed a lasting working relationship and friendship with Christian Pop sensations Anointed, touring with and producing music for the duo, and also the soulful Desmond Pringle. He is a widely sought after producer and, to his credit, has arranged and produced Grammy nominated work for Reverend Shirley Caesar, known as the Queen of Gospel. Most recently, Roger toured Europe as a vocalist with the acclaimed Take 6. The extensive, month-long tour took him to Vienna, Germany, Milan, the Ukraine, Hungary, the UK and Moscow with the A cappella powerhouse, playing in some of the most elaborate venues and popular spots such as the Blue Note. While with Take 6 he shared the stage with the Manhattan Transfer and WDR Big Band in Germany. As a demonstration of Roger’s versatility and eclectic tastes and talents, he has mastered the art of music from orchestral to Pop and everything in between. The invitation from actress Ashley Judd to play for her wedding in Scotland was a tribute to the beauty of his music. His gift has made room for him worldwide. Also dedicated to church ministries, Roger is Minister of Music for GracePointe Church. Additionally, Roger is a skilled music teacher and has conducted music and producer workshops in select cities. He is currently involved in numerous recording projects through his production company, AfterTouch Music, founded in the early 90’s. AfterTouch is the culmination of his vision and a lifetime of work. He humbly acknowledges God and his parents as the source and inspiration of his successes. For Roger, music is spiritual. “I truly do believe that music is for the soul and should come from the depths of who we are…from the core. The mind isn’t deep enough, neither is the heart. To inspire it must come from the soul.” Recognizing that there are countless talented individuals who slip through the cracks of major record labels, Roger’s goal is to provide an alternative avenue for artists to bring their music to life and to the world.
Performance Accomplishments:
-Co-Produced televised White House Program for PBS
-Appearances on Good Morning America, NBC Today Show, Rosie O’Donnell Show, Gordon Elliot Show, Fox After Breakfast, Vibe Show and Motown Live
-Lilo & Stitch Movie Premiere, Hollywood
-Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, Florida
-Wonderful World of Disney Television Program performance
-1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta
-Billy Graham Telecast, Minneapolis Superdome
-UNCF Parade of Stars with Lou Rawls, Apollo Theater
-Songwriter’s Hall of Fame Induction: Tribute to Diana Ross
-Vh1 Save the Music Show, NAMM Trade Convention; shared stage with Donna Summer, Gino Vanelli, David Peck, Tony Rich, Tommy Simms and others
-Cinema Awards Tributes to: Bob Hope, Morgan Freeman, Richard Dreyfus and Susan Lucci; other performers included Tony Bennett, Chaka Kahn, Michael Bolton, The Four Tops and others.
-Arranged and Directed Duke Ellington’s Martin Luther King Celebration, featuring Della Reese
-Indianapolis500; presentation with Winona Judd and Brian McKnight
-Para Olympics Opening Ceremonies with Stevie Wonder and Donnie Osmond
-Goodwill Games Opening Ceremony
-Collaborative work with Patti Austin and the San Francisco Orchestra; O Freedom, an Evolution of African Music
-Ashley Judd Wedding, Scotland
-Produced and Directed Walter Hawkins Tribute Concert, Oakwood College, Huntsville, AL
-Donnie McClurkin at the Gathering of Champions, London
-Richard Smallwood at the Millennium Celebration, London
-Music Director for the “A Tour” with Sony/Columbia artists Anointed, Avalon and Nicole Nordeman//
Additional Live Performances:
Whitney Houston, Michael W. Smith, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Earl Kluh, Kirk Whalum, Denise Williams, Amy Grant, Fred Hammond, Jackie Velasquez, Crystal Gale, Kenny Rogers, Karen Clark Sheard and a host of other renown artists.
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