Teri Roiger: Press

To hear Teri Roiger is to experience that peculiarly beautiful combination of improvisation, tone, feeling, and phrasing that are distinct elements of jazz freedom. She is made for those who still understand the meaning of the term "the real thing."

Teri has an intuitive laid back sense of time remininescent of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter but with her own uniqueness.

Roiger has a voice like the finest bittersweet chocolate full of rich, dark, contradictory flavors that miraculously blend to create one of the most original vocal instruments in decades.

Teri Roiger’s voice possesses all the expressiveness and versatility required for anything with Billy Strayhorn’s name on it. You want smooth, sexy, sad, pouting, coy, cool, vulnerable, very nasty with lots of ‘tude – you got it. When singing Billy’s tunes, Teri clearly demonstrates she has the necessary soul but she also has the heart, and the affection comes through with every note.

Until recently I had no idea of how hip Teri’s voice is and of how great she sounds. Her phrasing is amazingly horn-like and her tone is killing!

New York-based Teri Roiger is a terrific, serious jazz singer who deserves a wider audience. Her work is probing, hornlike, a bit daring, reminiscent of Abbey Lincoln, and her repertoire – ranging from Monk to Sting to Strayhorn – is exemplary.

Her smoky, human voice of experience is a relief to hear. Teri Roiger’s the real item.

A discovery at the Sunside in Paris, Teri Roiger, somewhere between Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday and Anita O'Day, played with elegance, expressiveness and authenticity.

Listening to Teri Roiger sing Billy Strayhorn at The Jazz Standard was hearing the great man's heartbeat, his dreams and his poetry. At the same time, you could lose yourself in the groove and the elegance of the music. Teri is a great interpreter with a fabulous silky smoky style.

Teri has a unique quality about her style who brings a lot to the table. She is a voice to be heard.

Still Life is a jazz classic!

Roiger’s timbre has a cognac gravitas hinting at the sass of the younger Abbey Lincoln and Lena Horne.

Teri Roiger wrote the music & lyrics to Still Life, the title cut. I was definitely reminded of Abbey Lincoln. The bossa nova has beautiful and deep lyrics, and Teri sang it with a cool under-standing. (listening to Teri at Sweet Rhythm, NYC)

Still Life is one of the most gratifying jazz vocal discs we’ve had the pleasure of reviewing in some years. Roiger has been compared to Billie Holiday; we hear more of Carmen McRae’s robust tonality and a relaxed delivery bordering on that of Astrud Gilberto. The dominant feel of the CD is one of moody atmospherics, all foggy streetlights and romantic, nighttime allure. The title piece itself is the perfect encapsulation of Roiger’s flawless delivery. If you’ve worn out your recordings of classic singers and haven’t been able to connect with much in the current crop of jazz vocalists, then Teri Roiger is your lady.

A singer of understated strength and powerful emotional gravity, Teri Roiger is a pleasure to listen to.

Roiger caresses the words and bends and shapes her phrases with uncommon flair...follows her own inspired path...uses her voice skillfully and interacts daringly with her musicians on this alluring vocal jazz album...an exhilarating listen that never lets you down.

Teri’s voice takes in Monks shady mood. Her interpretations are rich and she has made each song her own. Her original expression is polished & magnificent.

Roiger is in the first rank of jazz vocalists, now and historically. Her vocals always sweet, strong, and on target…Menegon’s bass playing precisely all around the tune, complementing the full tones of her voice. The lines of musical communication between these two are wide open, well traveled…very rich, very full, very moving.

Roiger’s firmly womanly timbre, and subtle phrasing touches, while resulting in a very personal sound, evoked for this listener the spirit and perspective of Billie Holiday.

A pure voice, jazz singer Teri Roiger is a very special kind of jewel. When you hear her rich, full, melodious voice, she appears shockingly similar to the famous singer Billie Holiday. Combined with the experience and depth of bassist John Menegon, this is exceptional music.