Campbell, Royce
Philology Jazz, 2009, CD
Instrument: Guitar
Issue: 16.1
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score:
O’s Notes: Royce is a veteran jazz guitarist with over 25 releases as a leader! He’s been in the business this long for a reason; he’s good! And he’s a pleasure to listen to. We like him in this trio setting with Bob Bowen (b) and Ron Free (d). They push the pace and keep Royce on his game. The program is all standards orchestrated with the chord melodies that Campbell is famous for. “Trio Minor Blues” is the sole original and blues track in the middle breaking things up nicely. The interaction between the crew is strong on “‘Round Midnight” and Bowen takes the lead in a number of spots like his opening solo on “I Thought About You”. Our feet were continuously pattin’ on this one!
Publicist: Royce Campbell