Go West to find your groove

This is a story of how two east coast musicians found love, music and community in Boulder Colorado.

Mojomama has been a force on the Boulder music scene since 2002. The founding members Paul and Jessica Rogalski meet in a local cover band in 2000 playing clubs and weddings all over Colorado. Together they were bonded by a love of creating music and performing from an authentic perspective. Mojomama has evolved over their 20 plus years, writing arranging and producing 7 original albums . Putting roots down in Longmont they opened a school for music in 2007 to inspire others to follow their passion for music. The pair has struck a balance between playing live performances on weekends and teaching their students during the week. Mojo’s music academy also creates jobs for hard working local musicians who are passionate about teaching and performing in our community. They currently have 12 teachers ,providing voice,guitar, bass, piano, drums, violin, viola,cello,and ukulele. The mission is “Building community through music education”. In retrospect we have made some of our deepest bonds and friendships by sharing our talents and skills with like minded individuals. Although, taking the show on the road wasn’t in the cards for Mojomama, we strive to be true to ourselves and our original music while educating and inspiring others. Mojomama continues to entertain crowds at festivals, and local music venues. The band plans on creating a new album of original music they call “Funked up blues”

Jessica Rogalski:

lead vocalist and songwriter for Mojomama has been singing all of her life. Jessica was raised in New Jersey surrounded by music and family gatherings. Her first grade teacher noticed her natural ability to sing and suggested voice lessons, at age 8 she staring honing her skills in private lessons. Music was a staple around her home . The sounds of the 60’s and 70’s rock n roll were always on the turntable, The Beatles, Pink Floyd , Crosby, Stills ,Nash and Young, The Eagles,Joni Mitchell, seeping into her psyche. Jessica’s Uncle Ronnie was a good guitarist and singer in the Philadelphia band Chaser .Fun fact, Jessica’s mom Arlene ran lights and her dad Jim was the sound man, crazy hippies!

After high school Jessica joined an all female rock band named London Underground and played regularly in Asbury park, New Hope, Trenton, and New York City . The band breakup lead to the decision to move west and join her friends in Boulder for a fresh start. Jessica found opportunities singing with local bands on the Boulder music scene. Collaborating with other musicians Jessica enjoyed writing and recording ,and performing. Jessica continued studying music and voice in private lessons while in collage and running a cleaning business to pay the bills. Joining a popular funk and disco band in her late 20’s is what lead her to meet her future husband Paul Rogalski who was hired as bassist and the rest is history. Mojomama was born out of a deep desire to create original music and steer the “ship” into the next phase of life.

Mojomama’s first studio album Drivin was released in 2002 . Paul and Jessica have a unique style to writing songs using their strengths to combine catchy bass lines , alluring melodies and thoughtful lyrics. The pair were married in 2003 and even played at the wedding ! Fast forward to 2024, 7 studio albums and countless live shows later we keep on setting the bar higher and forging a path forward in a sometimes challenging music career . To bridge the gap, Jessica and Paul opened Mojos music academy in 2007 creating an encouraging atmosphere to educate musicians of all ages in our community. Teaching music helped to balance our work life with a sense of purpose, inspiring others to follow their passion for music and build community , giving back and getting so much more in return. Mojo’s music academy is an extension of the band, providing employment opportunities for local professional musicians to teach and inspire. Today we offer private lessons for voice, bass, guitar, piano, drums, ukulele, violin, viola, cello, and saxophone. Mojos students have continued learning and performing all over Colorado and beyond.

Paul Rogalski:

I have been playing bass since high school and always wanted to succeed as a musician. Growing up in Boston MA you take the opportunity to attend the Berklee College of Music which I graduated in 1990. I decided to go west young man after hearing about Boulder CO from some friends and what a great music scene was going on there and I would fit right in. So off I went following my passions for music. I instantly had the opportunity to play in numerous bands.

Playing everywhere from the ski town circuit and filling large venues over the years. However, it was Mojomama that truly captured my soul and kept me in Boulder, CO. I am fortunate to have my super talented wife, Jessica, as the lead singer of our band. We put together our first original song from a bass line I had written and lyrics she wrote before we actually got serious in our relationship. This song is called "DRIVIN" which is the title track of our first album from 2004. Mojomama is still going strong performing all over CO, seven original albums in our catalog with more to come.

So then in 2009 we decide to open our own music teaching school, solely focused on teaching and being a part of our community. Mojo's Music Academy began with 4 instructors with Jessica teaching voice and I teaching bass. The business is thriving now with 12 instructors offering lessons for numerous instruments for all ages of students. We have hosted music clinics by some of our musical heroes such as bassist Chuck Rainey, Vocalist Janiva Magness and many more. I am also proud to say a lot of our students are pursuing music in colleges around the country. Some are currently performing as professionals in this difficult career in music. So I feel like my mission has been successful up to now but I still have more to offer to this world of music.

Official Site: mojomama.net