About
Biography
Roger Cicero was born on July 6, 1970, in Berlin, Germany. His father, Eugen Cicero, was a Romanian jazz pianist, and his mother, Lili Cziczeo, was a dancer. Growing up in a musical family, Roger developed a passion for jazz early in life.
At the age of 11, Roger made his stage debut supporting German singer Helen Vita. By 16, he was performing with the RIAS Dance Orchestra under the direction of Horst Jankowski. He studied at the Hohner Conservatory in Trossingen, focusing on piano, guitar, and vocals. From 1991 to 1996, he pursued jazz singing at the Amsterdam University of the Arts in the Netherlands.
In the early 2000s, Roger collaborated with groups like Jazzkantine and Soulounge, performing at events such as the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2003. He formed the Roger Cicero Quartet and later performed with an eleven-member big band led by Lutz Krajenski. His style combined 1940s and 1950s swing music with German lyrics.
Roger’s first solo album, “Männersachen,” was released in 2006 and reached number three on the German charts. The single “Zieh die Schuh aus” gained popularity, and the album sold over a million copies. In 2007, he represented Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki with the song “Frauen regier’n die Welt,” finishing in 19th place.
He continued to release successful albums: “Beziehungsweise” in 2007, “Artgerecht” in 2009, “In diesem Moment” in 2011, and “Was immer auch kommt” in 2014. In 2015, he released “The Roger Cicero Jazz Experience,” showcasing jazz interpretations of songs by artists like Nick Drake and Paul Simon.
Beyond music, Roger ventured into acting. In 2009, he appeared in the film “Hilde,” portraying musician Ricci Blum. He also provided the German voice for Prince Naveen in Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog.”
In late 2015, Roger experienced health issues, including acute exhaustion and suspected myocarditis, leading to the cancellation of some concerts. On March 24, 2016, he passed away in Hamburg at the age of 45 due to a stroke, the same cause that had taken his father’s life years earlier.
Roger Cicero is remembered for his contributions to jazz and pop music, blending swing rhythms with contemporary German lyrics, and leaving a lasting impact on the German music scene.
