roger smith

Originally from southern California, Roger was influenced by the music of the 50’s and 60’s, and developed an appreciation for many blues stylings, collecting recordings by Lightnin’ Hopkins, Otis Spann, B.B. King, Reverend Gary Davis, Willie Dixon and many other greats. He moved to Flagstaff AZ in 1972, and worked his way into the local music scene, playing bass with everyone he could.
Over the years, Roger has been band-mates with the northland’s most influential bluesmen, including Arizona Blues Hall of Fame’s Tommy Dukes, Steve Willis, Hank Tomlin, Bob Blasi, Tom McMillian, Ray DeSylvester, Sammy Mac, and was part of the Monday Night Blues Band, a Flagstaff staple.
Roger has shared the stage with Arizona blues greats George Bowman, Jim Glass, Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chuck Hall, Buddy Reed, R.D. Olson, Danny Rhodes, Delmar Stewart, Freddie Cisneros, and others.
As an Artist-in-Residence with the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Roger toured and performed across the state, and also played several years of the Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival. Over his 50 years playing in AZ, Roger has performed in countless clubs and festivals, opening acts for music legends Bo Diddley, Robert Cray, Buckwheat Zydeco, Cyril Neville, Tommy Castro, North Mississippi Allstars, War, and others.
Roger is fortunate to continue to play bass for many Arizona blues acts, and is truly honored to be inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame by his peers.