@roger-ball
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Roger Ball is a highly acclaimed Scottish Composer, Arranger, Songwriter, best known as a founding member of the legendary funk and R&B group, the Average White Band (AWB).
Primary Composer of "Pick Up the Pieces": Ball was the chief architect behind AWB's iconic, chart-topping 1974 instrumental hit. He wrote the track from a rehearsal jam, superimposing its famous melody and bridge.
Alongside fellow AWB saxophonist Malcolm "Molly" Duncan, Ball formed half of the band's potent horn section, originally known as "The Dundee Horns".
Ball primarily plays alto and soprano saxophones. His playing style is deeply anchored in a tight, smooth fusion of funk, jazz, and soul. He cites jazz titans like Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderley as his core saxophone influences, and Oliver Nelson as an inspiration for his horn arrangements.
Before forming AWB in 1971, Ball worked extensively as a session musician in London, arranging and playing for massive acts including Elton John, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Badfinger, and Vinegar Joe. He also shared live stages with Marvin Gaye and Chaka Khan.
In his later career, he released solo albums—Street Struttin' (1995) and Childsplay (2005)—and went on to lead the Roger Ball Quartet.
Timeline
Primary Composer of "Pick Up the Pieces": Ball was the chief architect behind AWB's iconic, chart-topping 1974 instrumental hit. He wrote the track from a rehearsal jam, superimposing its famous melody and bridge.
Alongside fellow AWB saxophonist Malcolm "Molly" Duncan, Ball formed half of the band's potent horn section, originally known as "The Dundee Horns".
Ball primarily plays alto and soprano saxophones. His playing style is deeply anchored in a tight, smooth fusion of funk, jazz, and soul. He cites jazz titans like Johnny Hodges, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderley as his core saxophone influences, and Oliver Nelson as an inspiration for his horn arrangements.
Before forming AWB in 1971, Ball worked extensively as a session musician in London, arranging and playing for massive acts including Elton John, Roxy Music, Bryan Ferry, Badfinger, and Vinegar Joe. He also shared live stages with Marvin Gaye and Chaka Khan.
In his later career, he released solo albums—Street Struttin' (1995) and Childsplay (2005)—and went on to lead the Roger Ball Quartet.