2025 RJF Guest of Honor
Roger Dickerson
The Festival's Unique Beginning & Dr. Roger Dickerson's Influence
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Everyone knows the people the world over associate Roswell, NM with the UFO phenomenon and a purported crash of a "flying saucer” back in 1947. But a growing number of musicians and fans worldwide are discovering the exciting, world-class event that takes place in Roswell annually during October. It is the Roswell Jazz Festival, a cultural event dedicated to celebrating America’s art form and educating youth. This year’s festival, scheduled for October 22-26, marks the 20th Anniversary of the RJF and it's eighteenth annual event.
But, how did an unlikely New Mexico city like Roswell become a Mecca for some of America’s top jazz musicians and fans? A New Mexico jazz festival was spawned by a hurricane? The story is unique. In early September 2005, a direct connection was created between Roswell and New Orleans, LA, the city known as the ‘birthplace of jazz,’ via the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and the friendship of two men with a vision. Retired Roswell educator Frank Schlatter and Pulitzer Prize nominated symphonic composer and jazz pianist Dr. Roger Dickerson of New Orleans had kept in touch since serving together in the 33rd U.S. Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany in the 1950's.
When Katrina hit New Orleans, Dickerson was forced to evacuate his home when floodwaters reached a level of five feet inside, covered his grand piano and destroyed many of his precious musical manuscripts. Upon reaching safety in San Antonio, TX days later, Dickerson finally had access to a telephone bank allowing him an opportunity to check in with his many friends across the country. A phone call to Schlatter in Roswell would prove to be a fortuitous one for Roswell. Schlatter naturally invited Dickerson to come to Roswell and take refuge in his home while weathering the storm and the anticipated lengthy New Orleans cleanup. Dickerson accepted the invitation. No one realized back then what lay ahead.
Dickerson’s visit would sow the seeds for the birth of a new event in the city in the form of a world-class jazz festival that, with dedication and hard work, would gradually develop into a cultural treasure, become respected nation wide, and continue on for years. Michael Francis, Roswell festival artistic director, had been aware of Dr. Dickerson since the early 80's by way of a mutual friend who was studying piano with him in New Orleans. “I was thrilled when I heard Dr. Dickerson was in town,” said Francis. “I knew that this was going to be a very special blessing for Roswell. I was thrilled again when I learned I was being invited to perform some two-piano duets with him at Pecos Flavors Winery”. These duets, along with several other successful events, drew enthusiastic, supportive audiences.
The charisma and spiritual energy that Dickerson brought to Roswell became contagious. In October 2006, through the tireless efforts of an all-volunteer staff headed by Schlatter, who established the festival as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, combined with the extremely generous financial support from local businesses and patrons, the first Roswell Jazz Festival became a reality. Many of America’s best jazz musicians were invited, including tenor saxophone legend Houston Person who, ironically, had served in Heidelberg with Schlatter and Dickerson. Other guests at the first festival included pianist Rossano Sportiello from Milan, Italy; trumpeter Randy Sandke, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, bassist Nicki Parrott all from New York City; vibraphonist/drummer Chuck Redd from Maryland; Rebecca Kilgore from Oregon; Dan Barrett and Eddie Erickson from California. Many of these greats have become ‘RJF family regulars’ over the years and the number of performers at each festival has gradually also increased each year.
Dr. Dickerson re-established his residency in New Orleans and returned to Roswell each of the first seventeen years to perform in the festival. He continues to teach students from all over the world from his New Orleans home via Zoom.
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​​The Louis Armstrong Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Roger Dickerson, a New Orleans musician, composer, and educator, who tutored a who's who of jazz musicians, including most of the house band. Blanchard and Branford Marsalis spoke movingly about Dickerson's personal impact on their lives and music. Mr. Dickerson has also been nominated for a Pulizer Prize as a composer.
Below photo: (Left - Right) LAEF Board Members Robin Bell-Stevens and Jon Batiste; Satchmo Award Recipient JoAnne Brackeen; Lifetime Achivement Award Recipient Roger Dickerson; and LAEF Executive Director Jackie Harris at Jazz Congress at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Khalea Washington Photography). For more info about Mr. Roger Dickerson go to: https://www.amistadresearchcenter.org/blog/roger-dickerson-at-home-in-new-orleans or click here:
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