Neumann plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones as well as clarinet and flute. He was also honored as the Jazz Composer/Arranger Of The Year at the 20th Annual Jazz Tribute and Awards 2002 in Los Angeles. This event was sponsored by the L.A. Jazz Society. Neumann was presented with the Jazz Educator of the year Award at the 2012 tribute and awards. He shared it with Scott Whitfield, a fellow educator. Neumann is a native of Spencer in Iowa. He attended Morningside College in Sioux City and Berklee School of Music, Boston. He was also the Guthrie Center’s band director between those two schools. He was awarded the Morningside Distinguished Alumni Award in 2005. Roger moved to Los Angeles in 1968 and joined the jazz camp staff in 1984. Neumann is an arranger/composer and has worked with Buddy Rich, Count Basie and Ray Charles. He also wrote for Ray Brown, Ray Anthony and Ray Anthony. He has also written arrangements for television. He has also written arrangements for television series such as “The Young and the Restless”, “Moonlighting,” and “My Favorite Martian.” Neumann is a saxophonist and has performed with Woody Herman/Jimmy Dorsey Bands, Ray Anthony, Ray Anthony, Tex Beneke and Bob Crosby to name a few. He currently plays and writes for “The Phil Norman Tentet” jazz group. His playing can be heard on the sound-tracks to several Showtime movies called “Drive-In Classics”, “Three Men and a Little Lady” and “My Favorite Year.” from http://www.iowalakes.edu
