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Rudy Royston

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Denver, Colorado, Royston has been a professional teacher, drummer and percussionist for almost twenty years. He studied classical percussion at University of Denver where earned undergraduate degrees in Music and English; Rudy accomplished teacher certification credentials from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Rudy grew up playing drums in church, and found his voice under the auspices of Colorado’s celebrated trumpeter Ron Miles, whom Royston deems his greatest influence, and with whom Rudy has played since 1991. He has taught, recorded and performed all styles of music from Jazz to marching percussion. Since moving to Piscataway, New Jersey in 2006, Mr. Royston has completed a Masters in Music degree from Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and performed with many of today’s finest Jazz musicians. Javon Jackson, Bill Frisell, Les McCann, David Gilmore, Andy Milne, Shane Endsley, JD Allen, Sean Jones, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Edward Simone, Jennifer Holiday, Mark Gross, Ralph Bowen, Bruce Barth, George Colligan, Don Byron, Stanley Cowell, Jonathan Kreisberg, Jenny Scheinmenn and Craig Handy, to name a few. A lover of all genres of music, Rudy continues to pursue music and expand his music horizons.

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3
Album Review

Willie Morris: Attentive Listening

Read "Attentive Listening" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Attentive Listening, Willie Morris 's second Posi-Tone release in as many years, documents the continuing evolution of a jazz master in the making. Like last year's Conversation Starter, the tenor saxophonist/composer thrives in the stimulating company of alto saxophonist/alto flutist Patrick Cornelius and pianist Jon Davis. Bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston round out a rhythm section that fuels the record's impressive reach. Early on, Morris' “Water Fountain Of Youth" and “The Imitation Game" are up-tempo ...

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Album Review

Albert Vila: Reality Is Nuance

Read "Reality Is Nuance" reviewed by La-Faithia White


Reality Is Nuance features nine tracks from jazz guitarist Albert Vila and his trio. The trio is completed by bassist Doug Weiss, who has performed with jazz legends such as singers Joe Williams and Lizz Wright, and drummer Rudy Royston, who has performed with the late great Les McCann, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and The Mingus Big Band to name just a few. Vila is from Barcelona, Spain where he began his musical studies. He has traveled around the world gaining ...

5
Album Review

Art Hirahara: Echo Canyon

Read "Echo Canyon" reviewed by Neil Duggan


The planned happenstance theory states that unplanned events can create new opportunities. So it was that Art Hirahara was in the right place at the right time, taking last-minute advantage of studio time at Brooklyn's Acoustic Recording studio following a cancellation by another artist. Along with his long time collaborators, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Rudy Royston, the session produced the album, Echo Canyon. This is his ninth album for the Posi-Tone Records label and follows on from Verdant Valley ...

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Album Review

Lisa Hilton: Coincidental Moment

Read "Coincidental Moment" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


As good as Coincidental Moment is, there is an uncharacteristic sense of sameness infused in many of these bossa blues. As she notes in the liners, lauded and long-trusted pianist Lisa Hilton intended the music to illuminate the cool energies and history of jazz while relating to these hair-shirt times in which we find ourselves privileged to listen to her music . But perhaps it crossed some invisible line where what has been accepted as gospel from Hilton--her ...

4
Album Review

Altin Sencalar: In Good Standing

Read "In Good Standing" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


In many ways, In Good Standing is a jazz aficionado's dream. Trombonist, composer, and arranger Altin Sencalar's inaugural disc as a leader for Posi-Tone encourages granular, analytical consideration. It is worthwhile to pause and think about the details of inspired performances, ponder the efficacy of Sencalar's original compositions and interpretations of gems penned by jazz giants, and contemplate the numerous examples of his band's esprit de corps. Conversely, it would be a shame to only concentrate on these things and ...

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Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Royston, Lema & Ojeda, Courvoisier & Smythe, And More

Read "New Releases From Royston, Lema & Ojeda, Courvoisier & Smythe, And More" reviewed by Bob Osborne


Listen for new releases from Rudy Royston, Germán Lema & Nicolás Ojeda, Sylvie Courvoisier & Cory Smythe, Jacob Young Mats Eilertsen & Audun Kleive, Brian McCarthy, Blue Moods, Roxy Coss, Dave Moss, Michael O'Neill Quintet, Cazayoux, Cut Beetlez Quartet with Rodney Chapman, Daniel Carter with Leo Genovese William Parker & Francisco Mela, and, Sébastien Parent.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Rudy Royston Flatbed Buggy “Limeni Village" from Day (Greenleaf) 01:03 Germán Lema & Nicolás Ojeda “The Peacocks" from Su trazo ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Kala Jula, Gangbé Brass Band, Rudy Royston, Samuele Strufaldi & More

Read "Kala Jula, Gangbé Brass Band, Rudy Royston, Samuele Strufaldi & More" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


From projects inspired by African traditions to jazz spiked with hard-rock, passing through some fascinating chamber influences, this episode showcases the creativity, breadth and depth of today's international jazz scene.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Kala Jula, Gangbé Brass Band “Asro" Asro (Buda Musique) 0:16 Host talks 8:44 Peter Somuah feat. Stevo Atambire “The Sky" Letter to the Universe (ACT) 10:22 Host talks 14:30 Samuele Strufaldi “Davorio" Davorio ...

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3

Recording

Lisa Hilton Celebrates Optimism In 'Life Is Beautiful' With Luques Curtis & Rudy Royston

Lisa Hilton Celebrates Optimism In 'Life Is Beautiful' With Luques Curtis & Rudy Royston

Source: DL Media

Lisa Hilton and her trio, manifest a memorable experience on Life Is Beautiful, her third recording of the pandemic era, and the acclaimed pianist, composer, and producer’s twenty-fifth album as a leader. On it, Hilton indulges her love of the piano with ten original tracks and the cover gem, “Ernie’s Blues," (written by Ernie Wilkins). Backed by her ever-excellent band mates: Rudy Royston on drums and Luques Curtis on bass, Hilton’s elegantly swinging piano and engaging compositions encompass a range ...

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Recording

Lisa Hilton and her Trio with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis Masterfully Blend Traditions in an Inspiring New Recording 'Transparent Sky'

Lisa Hilton and her Trio with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis Masterfully Blend Traditions in an Inspiring New Recording 'Transparent Sky'

Source: All About Jazz

Available September 3 | Pre-Order Today As America and other countries re-emerge from the limitations of 2020, Lisa Hilton and her trio with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis, enthusiastically embrace the moment with a vibrant new jazz offering titled Transparent Sky, that will inspire, uplift and motivate us all. Rich with glorious harmonies and unique compositions, Hilton’s swinging band radiates a sun bleached aura to listeners. Throughout the album Hilton, Royston and Curtis develop a surprisingly wide range of rhythmic ...

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Recording

Pianist Lisa Hilton Releases More Than Another Day with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis on Ruby Slippers Productions

Pianist Lisa Hilton Releases More Than Another Day with Rudy Royston and Luques Curtis on Ruby Slippers Productions

Source: All About Jazz

More Than Another Day (Ruby Slippers Productions) is the latest release from composer / pianist / producer, Lisa Hilton. Hilton and her longstanding band mates: Rudy Royston on drums, and Luques Curtis on bass, as well as JD Allen on tenor saxophone, had just finished the first half of their tour for their 2020 album, Chalkboard Destiny, when the corona virus forced a shut down of the tour, and of course a lockdown in the U.S. Grounded and worried for ...

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Recording

Recent Listening: Royston and Svensson

Recent Listening: Royston and Svensson

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey

Rudy Royston, 303, (Greenleaf Music) Since his emergence from Denver (area code 303) nearly a decade ago, Royston’s drumming has graced bands led by Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, JD Allen, Tom Harrell and other leaders in 21st century jazz. With 303, Royston becomes a leader himself. As he has since he first attracted attention playing for Denver trumpeter Ron Miles, Royston is notable not only for the dynamics of his technique but for empathy with his fellow musicians and the ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

DAY

Greenleaf Records
2024

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Attentive Listening

Posi-Tone Records
2024

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Love & Peace

Posi-Tone Records
2023

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And That Too

Posi-Tone Records
2023

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Green Thumb

Posi-Tone Records
2023

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In Good Standing

Posi-Tone Records
2023

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Everyday Anthem

From: Coincidental Moment
By Rudy Royston

Canopy of Trees

From: Red List
By Rudy Royston

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