Biography Roger Velasquez Recording Artist Composer / Producer Compelled to compose for theater and cinema, Roger was commissioned to write a highly emotional work “Mal Hombre” for Hollywood Pictures/Walt Disney Production Bound by Honor/Blood in Blood Out, for Oscar Winning Director Taylor Hackford (Ray, An Officer and a Gentleman and La Bamba). A versatile musician, Roger’s talents were refined gigging with such greats as the late Rodney J of the world famous Marcel’s as well as recording with Capitol/EMI Latino’s legendary The Latin Breed as featured vocalist on the albums Born to Play, Reunion, and Original Masters. His indubitable talent also earned him the opportunity of a seat on the Tejano Music Awards Orchestra in the 1990’s. Also in the 1990’s as the lead singer of the Latin Breed Roger shared the stage with Selena Quintanilla y Los Dinos at the Longhorn Saloon. He also performed for the Stay in School Youth Rallies with Selena and Jesse Borrego. In August 2005, Roger performed In Las Vegas for the Tejano Music National Convention Revue at the Rio Hotel and Casino Convention Center alongside Bob Gallarza. Also in 2005, Roger was a featured performer alongside Ram Herrera, Adalberto Gallegos, and Jimmy Edwards for the 2005 National Hispanic Contractor’s Convention in Fort Worth, TX. In 2006, Roger appeared as featured vocalist on the Grammy nominated album entitled Bob Gallarza Live in Session. Roger has also worked with arranger/producer Jim Waller of the famed Los Blues of Digital Image Studios on a collection of original compositions. As a published artist, Roger is registered with BMI and a voting member of the Grammy’s (Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) and the Latin Grammy’s (Latin Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences). The Tejano Academy of Musicians and Artists nominated Roger Velasquez and The Latin Legends, for Best Band 2006. In the spring of 2007, Roger appears as special guest vocalist on Ram Herrera & the Outlaw Band 2007 album on the song entitled “Mi Mejor Amigo”. Ram recorded three of Roger’s original compositions including the number one hit song Trago Profundo. Roger returned to Las Vegas in August 2007 to perform with Bob and Jimmy Edward at The Las Vegas Hilton. In 2008 Roger was nominated for four Tejano Academy Awards including the categories of Best Album, Best Songwriter, Best Overall Group and Best Guitar Player. Roger was the 2008 Orchestra Leader for the Tejano Academy of Musicians & Artist Awards Orchestra. In March 2008 Roger headlined the first annual Luminaria Arts Night In San Antonio and shared the main stage with Grammy Winners Flaco Jimenez, Bob Gallarza and Max Baca. In Spring 2008, Roger released a solo album Quiero Besarte. Roger performed with the Latin Legends for the San Antonio Public Library’s Chicano Renaissance exhibit. Roger appears on KSAT-12 ‘s Tejano y Mas with host Gabriel Zavala, the Tejano Academy Awards Show, he performed on Fox KABB Television’s Morning Show and KENS TV Great Day SA Christmas Special. In January 2009, Roger appears again on KSAT-12’s Tejano y Mas with his band The Latin Legends performing the title cut from his album Quiero Besarte. In August 2009 Roger and his band were featured artists at the Milwaukee Mexican Fiesta and the Tejano National Music Convention in Dallas, TX. Roger performed at a major Hispanic show at the Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater in June 2009 in Tucson, AZ. Roger is also featured On the Edge Productions 2009 release On Common Ground alongside Jay Perez and others. In September 2009, Roger performed at Cesar Chavez Park in Sacramento, CA at the Tejano Conjunto Festival with Jay and Jimmy. In October 2009 Roger Velasquez and the Latin Legends were the featured performers for famed Chicano artist Jesse Trevino’s “Mi Vida” opening at the Smithsonian’s Museo Alameda. That year Roger was nominated for a Tejano Music Award in the Best New Artist Category. Roger Velasquez and the Latin Legends ushered in 2010 performing for the Tejano Legends Black and White Ball at the El Paso County Coliseum in EL Paso, TX. In February 2010 Roger and the band performed for the Hispanic Heritage Committee in Kansas City, KS. In the spring of 2010 Roger Velasquez released his second solo album Toma Mi Corazon for V-Discos. Roger displays his musical knowledge in the arrangements of all ten pieces, but not without help from Grammy Award Winning Producer Gilbert Velasquez and friends Jimmy Edward and David Lee Garza. In the Summer of 2010 Roger performed in the opening number for the Tejano Music Awards in a tribute to the Latin Breed with PeeWee, Jay & Adalberto. In the fall of 2010 Roger released the YouTube video “Mariposa Traicionera” directed by Brandon Olmos featuring actor Jesse Borrego and Hispanic model Claudia G. Every year Roger continues to volunteer his time and talents to serve the largest Cesar Chavez March for Justice in the nation. Roger appeared on the groundbreaking video and Cd “Somos Hermanos” for AARP and Latin Pointe, alongside other Tejano recording artists. In the summer of 2012, Roger performed for the Tejano Music National Convention at Bally’s in LasVegas, Nevada as a headline performer sharing the stage with A.B. Quintanilla and Sunny Ozuna and Siggno. Roger also performed the song “Mal Hombre” from Hollywood pictures Blood in Blood Out con Mariachi with Jesse Borrego for the Tejano Music Awards held at the Alamo Dome . In the fall of 2012 VDiscos released “Loteria” Roger’s third solo CD. Roger teamed up with executive Producer Kurt Wipfli (Pulsar Record, Wiptrax Studios), Joe Trevino (Blue Cat Recording Studios) and Claudio Cuenti (Candy House Studio Los Angeles, CA) to make a magical recording for the ages. Featured artists on “Loteria” include Jesse Borrego (Mal Hombre), and latino rap sensation Big Gemini (La Sirena). November 2012 Roger premieres his music video project “Mal Hombre” produced by Jesse Borrego and directed by James Borrego. Roger and his band are featured in the live music video, “ La Calle Guadalupe “ ( Loteria; 2012 VDISCOS ) filmed at “Una Noche En La Gloria 2013 ” directed by film maker Ricardo Mendoza and produced by Gabriel Velasquez for The Contemporary Art and Literature Organization ( C.A.L.O.). Roger headlined at the Racine Mexican Fiesta (Racine, WI) in August 2014. In 2015, Roger appeared on Univision’s tv show “El Gordo y La Flaca,"as a presenter for the Tejano Music Awards. In 2016, Roger appeared on Telemundo’s “Acceso Total,” for Una Noche En La Gloria. In November 2016 Roger released the single “El Gallo de Palenque,” featuring the King of the Brown Sound, Little Joe Hernandez followed by the subsequent release of Roger’s fourth solo CD Roger Velasquez Una Noche. Roger’s music can be found on CD Baby and On ITunes in 63 countries.