The joint is always jumpin' at the

Basin Street Follies
features an astounding
display of musicianship

The veteran of the Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton Bands proceeds to favor us with performances on a series of varied size trumpets and yet another trombone, from romantic violin to country fiddle -- even an on the mark Nat "King" Cole impression of "Mona Lisa".

"As a vocalist he is no doubt talented ... a gifted musician; it's no surprise he has been a featured soloist in several top-of-the-line big bands"

The "Homefield Advantage" tops the bill at Mardi Gras .... A baritone named Roger Homefield -- that's right -- whose advantage stems from his use of several instruments, mostly the trombone, which he plays from a crouch reminiscent of Sammy Sosa at bat. 

by CHARLES EINSTEIN
Star Ledger

What the Big Band Critics were saying:

"One of the orchestra's newer additions, an excellent trombonist named Roger Homefield, played some of the most exciting jazz of the night. His full tone and artistic vigor stamped vintage Kenton works with the authority trailblazed by such earlier Kenton trombonists as Milt Bernhart, Bill Russo and Dick Shearer"
          Des Moines County News

"Trombonist Roger Homefield displayed exquisite tone on his numerous solos…."
       ….Kenton concert, The Vancouver Sun

"On the Peanut Vendor Roger Homefield played a great, growling trombone solo, and in Chelsea Bridge his smooth, consistently excellent tone quality set the trombone section apart"
        ….Kenton concert, Salt Lake Tribune

"A languid, sensuous solo by trombonist Roger Homefield during Duke Ellington's Lush Life provided an enlightening moment"
      ….Buddy Rich concert, The San Diego Union

"The crisp, full-sound trombone solos of Roger Homefield were most noteworthy"
        ….Buddy Rich concert, The Kansas City Star

   "I first met Roger when he was Lead Trombonist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra. To say that I was favorably impressed is to put it mildly. For many years prior I had felt that the Kenton trombone sound had slipped into a sort of obscurity. The players, especially the Lead Players, had just not seemed up to the challenge. And so it was with great joy that I encountered Rogers appearance on the Kenton scene. His refined, yet totally authoritative approach took me back to the days when that sort of playing was the norm for the Kenton Orchestra. My greatest regret is that Stan's remaining time with us was limited, both because there can never be another Stan Kenton, and because Roger was deprived of the best place for him to display his considerable talent.
   Roger, of course, made a strong contribution to the Buddy Rich Band, and I always looked forward to seeing and hearing him during their visits to the West Coast.
   To sum it up, I consider Roger Homefield to be one of the very best of the younger trombonists to arrive in the past two decades. His dedication to his instrument, and his over-all musicianship are unquestioned. He is a standout in my sincere opinion"

Milt Bernhart (legendary Kenton Lead trombonist)