Roger Shew

Roger Shew, a native of the Pacific Northwest, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Washington State University and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University. He has studied under such acclaimed musicians as Rufus Reid, Tom Knific, Billy Hart, Christopher VonBaeyer, Brent Jensen and Robert Hurst. In 2001, Roger placed 3rd at the prestigious International Society of Bassists International Jazz Bass Competition. Roger has made quite a splash into the LA Jazz scene, recording and performing regularly across the southland with LA’s finest musicians. Through travels across the country, Roger has had the opportunity to perform with the NY Voices, Sunny Wilkinson, Billy Hart, Bob Brookmeyer, John Abercrombie, Jane Ira Bloom, Hendrick Muerkens,, Kenny Werner, Tim Ries and Dominique Eade. Current projects include touring and recording with a highly creative band called “BUG” featuring Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley and Brian Hamada. BUG has two recordings out on Origin records (Murmur and The GADfly), tours the country regularly and has recently been invited to “Jazzmandu, The Biggest Jazz Party in the Himalayas” in October 2010. As an educator, Roger splits his time between being a member of the Faculty at Fullerton College, where he teaches applied electric/acoustic bass, History of Jazz and Rock classes and at Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School, where he runs Thurston Junior Jazz and the LBHS Jazz Orchestra and Combo program. Roger passed away on August 30, 2016