Roger Eno

Lesser known than his famous older brother Brian, Roger Eno has carved his own niche in ambient music, breaking away from his original piano work to incorporate chamber music, string arrangements, and his own vocals, while exploring traditional British music. Eno grew up in Suffolk, England, and attended Colchester Institute to study music theory with a focus on the euphonium. After graduating, he busied himself with numerous jobs until landing employment as a music therapist in a local hospital in the early '80s. In 1983, Brian Eno invited him to Canada where he and Daniel Lanois were working on what would be the Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks album. Roger worked with the two, creating simple melodies on piano and synth, including "Always Returning." The success of the soundtrack earned Roger Eno a contract with EG Records, and Brian produced his first release, Voices, a collection of simple piano pieces in the style of Debussy and Satie to whom he is usually compared. After one more collaboration with his brother on the Dune soundtrack, the two have rarely worked together, and Roger has staked out a career on his own. Three years later, his second album, Between Tides appeared, showing that Eno was already broadening his palette with lush string arrangements. In 1992, Eno teamed up with former Dream Academy member and labelmate Kate St. John on The Familiar, and four years later joined her in the ambient "supergroup" Channel Light Vessel, along with Bill Nelson and Laraaji. Swimming, from 1996, added all sorts of stringed instruments to the mix, including surf guitar and banjo. 2000's Appointed Hour, a unique collaboration with Peter Hammill, was another significant recording. Eno has also written music for several films, including Nine and a Half Weeks, Opera, and Warm Summer Rain, as well as scoring a popular series of 1993 Guinness commercials. He continues to live in his home country of Suffolk where he records in his own studio. ~ Ted Mills, All Music Guide