Watch the preeminent pianist in recent live performances

"A major pianist . . . A gorgeous display of effortlessly flowing melody, rhapsodic bravura and electrifying passagework . . . freshly conceived and spontaneous." Washington Post.
Roger Wright has been hailed as a "A savvy, elegant, and charismatic pianist," (American Record Guide). Though critics have compared him to the world's greatest virtuosos, he is set apart by his sensitivity to piano sound and his exceptional musical intelligence. In recital and as soloist with orchestra, Wright has performed in many of the world's major music centers, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Cincinnati, New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Santa Fe, Calgary, Sydney, Munich, Berlin, Pretoria and Dublin. His artistry has earned him accolades from critics and audiences alike since his debut at 18 with the Houston Symphony. His live concerts and recordings have broadcast on ABC Australia, CBC Radio Canada, 105.1 K-Mozart Southern California, WFMT-FM Chicago, KENS 5-TV and WOAI-TV San Antonio, WQXR New York City, and on David Dubal's celebrated series Reflections from the Keyboard. Also in demand as a chamber musician, Wright has recently appeared as guest artist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic (Connoisseur Series), the Taos Chamber Music Group, and the Classical Encounters Foundation in Tarzana, Ca. Career highlights include his debut performance at Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall (1998); and the release of what would be Wright's debut album, Piano Masterpieces, by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, as a result of 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's (APRA) Award for the Most Performed Contemporary Classical Composition of 2001. Other projects include collaborating with Dick Van Dyke (2007-2008); performing in "Wall to Wall Stephen Sondheim," a gala event at Symphony Space in New York City (2005); and co-producing an album for actor Michael York (2002). Wright has won highest awards in numerous competitions, including the San Antonio International Piano Competition, the Frinna Awebuch International Piano Competition in New York City, and the Corpus Christi Young Artists' Competition (piano and concert). Other awards include finalist in the Esther Honens International Piano Competition, 2nd place National Finals of the Music Teachers National Association Student Performance Competitions, award winner in the Nina Wideman Piano Competition, the Washington International Piano Competition, and selected as one of 30 competitors for the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he was an audience favorite.
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, Abbey Simon, Horatio Guiterrez and John Perry.
Mr. Wright is a serious Scrabble player and was winner of the 2004 National Scrabble Championship, a five-day tournament held in New Orleans and televised by ESPN. As the Champion, he was featured on CNN and appeared on The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Roger Wright resides in Los Angeles where he enjoys performing, teaching,collaborating and composing his own music.
www.rogerwright.com