PITTSBURGH JAZZ LEGEND ROGER HUMPHRIES AT STIFEL

WHEELING, W.Va. (September 24, 2009)- -Roger Humphries, a living jazz legend from Pittsburgh, will perform with his band “R.H. Factor” at 8 p.m. October 10 as Oglebay Institute continues its Jazz at the Stifel series.

Rated by music critics as one of the most exciting percussionists in the jazz business, Humphries has provided the rhythmic beat for such greats as Ray Charles, Horace Silver, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Stanley Turrentine, James Moody, and the list of great musicians goes on and on and on.

With various groups, Humphries has performed at Carnegie Music Hall, the Village Gate and the Apollo Theatre in New York. He has also played at the Bohemian Caverns and Shelly Manne's Manhole in Los Angeles; the Penthouse in Seattle; Pep's Lounge and Showboat, Philadelphia; the Jazz Workshop, Boston; Ronny Scott's in London, and many other places. One of the most fascinating aspects of Roger's life is the number of extremely talented musicians he has had the opportunity to perform with. He has played with such well known jazz artists as: Lee Morgan, Grant Green, Billy Taylor, Bill Doggett, Benny Green, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Lionel Hampton, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, J.J. Johnson, Billy Preston, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack McDuff, Gene Harris, George Harris, George Benson, John Faddis, Slide Hampton, Johnny Griffin, Herbie Mann, Randy Brecker, Joe Williams, Milt Jackson and Jimmy Witherspoon. In Pittsburgh, Roger has performed with Nathan Davis, Frank Cunimondo, Pete Henderson, Dwayne Dolphin, and all the other local greats too numerous to mention. Even those with little knowledge of jazz can see the tremendous accomplishments of the musically boundless Humphries.

After playing with various groups around the country, ace drummer Humphries decided to organize his own group in 1972, which he calls R. H. Factor, and in 1996 he assembled Roger Humphries' Big Band.

On February 23, 2008 the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh issued a proclamation as Roger Humphries Day. He was given a certificate of recognition for his legendary performance in the field of music and teaching.

Don’t miss your chance to see Roger Humphries and R.H. Factor at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 10 at the Stifel Fine Arts Center, 1330 National Road in Wheeling. Admission is $20. Call the Stifel Center at 304.242.7700 to purchase tickets. Refreshments are available for purchase at all shows, and parking is free and available just behind the center.

The entire 2009-2010 Jazz at the Stifel line-up, which is proudly sponsored by Dinsmore and Shohl, LLP is as follows:

October 10, 2009 - Roger Humphries R. H. Factor
November 14, 2009 - The Phoenix Jazz Project with Curtis Johnson
January 9, 2010 - Boilermaker Jazz Band
February 13, 2010 - Catch 22
March 13, 2010 - Trio Bravo

These programs are made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.