Summer Soundewaves is a series of free outdoor concerts by Westbeth musicians and friends sponsored by the Westbeth Artists Residents Council.

JULY 15, 2022 in the Courtyard

TERI ROIGER (vocals)
STEVE BERGER (guitar)
JOHN MENEGON (bass)

“Teri has an intuitive laid back sense of time reminiscent of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter but with her own uniqueness.” JACK DEJOHNETTE (legendary jazz drummer & NEA Jazz Master)

“Canadian-bred John Menegon is in the line of George Mraz and Michael Moore; a harmonically sophisticated bassist with technical facility who swings hard when it’s called for.” Kirk Silsbee, Downbeat!

“Teri is made for those who still understand the meaning of the term the real thing.” Stanley Crouch (Author & Cultural Critic)

American jazz musicians Teri Roiger and John Menegon have been collaborating musically for over 25 years. During that time their music has taken many exciting twists and turns. Teri is a jazz vocalist, but also plays piano, composes music, and writes lyrics. John is a jazz bassist, but is also a guitarist, arranger, singer, and composer (music & lyrics). They have performed as a DUO throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe, and have been featured artists at the San Miguel Jazz Festival (Mexico), Panama Jazz Festival (Panama), and Bolzano Jazz Festival (Italy), where they presented concerts and masterclasses. The depth of their experiences and love of jazz is apparent when they bring all their talents to live performances, the recording studio, and through their moving lyrics and compositions. They have also been sharing their knowledge and inspiration with their diverse students for over 25 years. Their numerous recordings have all met with critical acclaim, as have their live performances at festivals and top New York jazz spots (Birdland, Kitano, Dizzy’s, Mezzrow, Jazz Standard, Café Bohemia).

In 2021 Teri & John released an album SHINE A BRIGHT LIGHT on their new label Valley Jazz Records with a new group called SHARP 5, a collaboration with Pete Levin, Nanny Assis & Jeff Siegel. Teri’s previous releases include GHOST OF YESTERDAY: SHADES OF LADY DAY where Teri showcases her uncommon knowledge, appreciation, and deep love for the artistry of Billie Holiday. Her recording DEAR ABBEY: THE MUSIC OF ABBEY LINCOLN with arrangements by Menegon, met with great critical acclaim, as did STILL LIFE where her composition “Still Life” won 3rd prize in the jazz category of the acclaimed songwriting competition ISC. Teri & John’s first collaboration, MISTERIOSO, included jazz legends Jack DeJohnette and Kenny Burrell, and Teri was given permission to publish her own lyrics to Monk’s iconic composition “Misterioso.”

John spent ten years playing and recording with jazz legends David “Fathead” Newman and Dewey Redman, and currently plays with jazz legend Joe Lovano as well as leading his own band. He has released five CDs as a leader, including “I Remember You” (a dedication to Redman and Newman) with a four-star review in Downbeat, and his latest “Quartet East: Blew By Blues,” a dedication to Charlie Haden.

STEVE BERGER (guitarist) New Jersey born Berger studied with Barry Harris and Tal Farlow and has been active as an accompanist, sideman & leader in the New York music scene for the past several decades. He toured and performed with the late, great Bob Dorough for over 30 years, and was house bandleader for 16 years at Arturo’s in Greenwich Village. Currently he is actively playing in a Trio in New York City with vocalist Teri Roiger & bassist John Menegon.

In the event of rain, concert will take place in the Westbeth Community Room. Masks recommended.