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Artist
Roger Williams
12+ albums
Roger Williamsinstrumentaleasy listeningpianojazz
about
Roger Williams (October 1, 1924 – October 8, 2011), born Louis Jacob Weertz, was an American popular music pianist. As of 2004, he had released 116 albums. He was born to a Lutheran minister, the Rev. Frederick J. Weertz (1891–1980) and a music teacher, Dorothea Bang Weertz (1895–1985), in Omaha, Nebraska. The family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, before his first birthday. He first played the piano at age three. In high school he became interested in boxing, mainly at his father's insistence, and only returned to music after breaking his nose several times and sustaining several other injuries. He majored in piano at Drake University in Des Moines, but claimed he was expelled for playing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" in the practice room. Weertz entered the United States Navy and served in World War II. While still in the Navy, he earned a bachelor's degree from Idaho State College (now Idaho State University) in 1950. Afterwards, Weertz re-enrolled at Drake, where he earned his master's degree. He then moved to New York City to attend Juilliard, where he studied jazz piano under Lennie Tristano and Teddy Wilson. Williams won a talent contest on Dennis James' television program, Chance of a Lifetime. He was heard by David Kapp, founder of Kapp Records. Kapp was so impressed that he signed the pianist, changing his name to "Roger Williams" after the founder of Rhode Island. In 1955 Williams recorded "Autumn Leaves", the only piano instrumental to reach #1 on Billboard's popular m
top songs
albums
Pop Goes the Ivories
Reader's Digest Music: The Best of Roger Williams: The Reader's Digest Recordings Vol. 1
Greatest Hits
Till
The Greatest Popular Pianist / The Artist's Choice
Christmas Time
Reader's Digest Music: The Best of Roger Williams: The Reader's Digest Recordings Vol. 2
The Best Of Roger Williams 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection
America's Best Selling Pianist- 4 Original Albums 1957 - 1961 & Bonus Tracks
Roger Williams Greatest Hits
To Amadeus with Love
Near You