Roger Cicero: The German Jazz & Pop Vocalist

Roger Cicero was a German jazz and pop singer who brought swing music to a new generation in the 2000s. Hailing from Berlin, his major achievement was representing Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 with the song "Frauen regier'n die Welt".

Early Career

Born Roger Marcel Cicero Ciceu in 1970 in Berlin, he was the son of Romanian jazz pianist Eugen Cicero. He studied at the Hamburg Music School and began his professional career as a vocalist for the German big band the RIAS Big Band Berlin and later the Bundesjazzorchester (the national youth jazz orchestra). His early work established him firmly within the German jazz scene, leading to his first solo album in 2003, "Jazz Getaway".

Breakthrough

Cicero's breakthrough came in 2006 with the release of his platinum-selling album "Männersachen" ("Men's Things") on the Starwatch Music label. The album successfully fused classic swing and big band jazz with contemporary German pop lyrics, topping the German albums chart and earning him several awards, including two ECHOs. This success catapulted him from the jazz niche into the German mainstream.

Key Tracks

Zieh die Schuh aus - This was the lead single from "Männersachen" and became his signature hit, defining his stylish, retro-modern sound.

Frauen regier'n die Welt - As Germany's Eurovision entry in 2007, this song brought Cicero international exposure and reached the top 10 in Germany.

Ich atme ein - A later single that showcased a more contemplative, pop-ballad side of his artistry while maintaining his smooth vocal delivery.

Following his breakthrough, Roger Cicero released several more albums, including "Beziehungsweise" (2009) and "In diesem Moment" (2012), which continued to blend jazz, pop, and soul. He remained a popular live performer in Germany until his unexpected death in 2016 at the age of 45. His music, particularly the album "Männersachen", left a lasting mark on the German jazz-pop landscape. Artists with a similar style who also navigate the space between jazz, swing, and German-language pop include Max Raabe, who leads a vintage-style big band with a precise, nostalgic aesthetic. The vocal jazz sophistication of Thomas Quasthoff shares a foundation in classic jazz tradition. For a more contemporary German pop approach with occasional jazz inflections, Tim Bendzko is a notable figure. The music of Roger Cicero, a key figure in 2000s German jazz-pop, continues to be celebrated for its energetic fusion of styles.