Marshall Royal
Marshall Royal ( occasionally Marshal Royal) ( born May 12, 1912 in Sapulpa (Oklahoma ); † 9 May 1995 Los Angeles ( California ) ) was an American jazz alto saxophonist -, clarinetist of the swing.
Life and work
Marshall Royal was known for his membership in the Count Basie band, of which he was nearly twenty years.
Royal is the older brother of trumpeter Ernie Royal and initially learned violin and guitar, then clarinet and saxophone. At the age of thirteen, he made his first professional appearance at age 18 he became a member of the Les Hite band, where he remained from 1931 to 1939, he also toured during this period with Art Tatum. From 1940 to 1942 he worked in the band of Lionel Hampton, until the Second World War interrupted his career. After his military service, in which he played in the Navy Band, Royal worked with Eddie Heywood, he moved to Los Angeles, where he was employed as a studio musician. He also played, among others with the young Charles Mingus (Baron Mingus and his Octet - The Young Rebel, 1946). In 1950 he accompanied with its own formation, the singer Helen Humes.
In 1951, Buddy DeFranco Royal replaced as a clarinetist in Count Basie's septet, which Basie had formed when he had dissolved his Big Band. When the Basie band was re- formed, Royal was lead alto saxophonist and acted as musical director until 1970. He occasionally performed as a soloist in appearance as in The Midnite Sun Never Stes from 1959, but was primarily as a leader of the " reeds section " responsible for the swinging nature of the band. When he left the Basie band in 1970, Royal remained permanently in Los Angeles and has performed with the Concord All-Stars, Bill Berry Big Band, Frank Capp, Paul Quinichette, Nat Pierce, Earl Hines, Ernie Wilkins, Zoot Sims and Duke Ellington.
Royal took in 1977 an album as a soloist with Dave Frishberg on; then another with Warren Vache 1978. 1970/80er In the years he led with Snooky Young, a band and accompanied Ella Fitzgerald and Gene Harris. In 1989 he played in Frank Wess ' big band.
Disco Graphical Notes
Links / sources
- Marshall Royal - postage Biography by Chris Kelsey in AllMusicGuide