KC Jazz Pianist and Composer Roger Wilder became interested in music through his father’s (Donald Wilder, b. 1932), mother’s (Alison Herriott Wilder, b. 1935), and sister’s (Laura, b. 1958) piano playing and brother’s (Chris, b. 1960) drumming. Wilder started piano lessons at age 8 and trombone lessons at age 9. Through the influence of drum teacher Vinnie Ruggiero, brother Chris became interested in jazz and started drumming professionally as a teenager. Roger consequently began studying jazz through undergraduate camps at the Eastman School of Music and privately from pianist Barry Kiener. He entered the University of Miami in 1982 as a trombonist and after switching his principal instrument to piano, was graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Engineering Technology in 1986.
Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/
