Royston, Rudy
Greenleaf Music, 2020, CD
Instrument: Drums
Issue: 26.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 83
O’s Notes: Drummer Rudy Royston has kept time for many jazz headliners including Amina Figarova, Jim Snidero and JD Allen. But he’s back in the leadership role for PaNOptic, his latest release. “bLUes” is a rather melodic piece. Royston adds enough spoken word on “defeRRed”, to illustrate his point, and more so with vocals on “I’m Coming Home”. PaNOptic is divided into three sections: poetic reflections, tributes and spirituals. All twenty-three selections are solo drum pieces and Royston uses dynamics and mature moderation to pull off an introspective collection that is far more encompassing than you’d imagine for a solo drum effort. All proceeds from the album are being donated to the MusicCares COVID-19 Relief Fund
Publicist: Two for the Show Media