Roger Wilder was born and raised in Rochester, NY. After receiving a Bachelor of Music from University of Miami in 1986, he continued to record and perform in South Florida, most notably in groups assembled to back Stanley Turrentine, Randy Brecker, Adam Nussbaum, and Chris Potter. He taught a jazz piano class and private lessons at Miami-Dade Community College 1987-91. In 1995, he and his wife moved to the New York City area for five years, where his activities included teaching, performing, and recording.