Marshall Royal
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Marshall Royal
- Genres: Jazz
Biography
For close to 20 years -- from the early '50s until 1970 -- the characteristic sax sound of Count Basie's big band was topped by the clear, vibrating lead alto of Marshall Royal. Royal was, by all accounts, a competent swing-based soloist, but his strength was first and foremost as a team player. Royal's style became the prototype for swinging a sax section; his slightly behind-the-beat phrasing, pronounced vibrato, and aggressive leadership influenced a subsequent generation of ensemble players.As a child, Royal learned to play violin, guitar, and various reed instruments; trumpeter Ernie Royal was his brother. He began performing in public at the age of 13. Royal spent much of the '30s with Les Hite's band; he also recorded with Art Tatum around that time. Royal joined Lionel Hampton's band in 1940, staying two years. During the war, Royal served in a Navy band. In 1946, he played with Eddie Heywood before moving to Los Angeles. Royal worked in the studios for a time, and then, in 1951, he joined the septet Count Basie had formed following the demise of his big band. Basie reorganized the big band the next year, with Royal ensconced as lead altoist and music director -- dual roles he would occupy until 1970. After leaving Basie, Royal settled for good in Los Angeles. Royal played and recorded with Bill Berry's big band and the Frankie Capp-Nat Pierce Juggernaut. In 1977, he recorded as a soloist with Dave Frishberg, and in 1978 with Warren Vache. In the late '70s and early '80s, Royal recorded with a band he co-led with Snooky Young, as well as under his own name. Royal kept busy during the '80s; among his activities was a 1982 record date with Ella Fitzgerald and a 1987 Concord Jazz Festival Basie tribute led by Gene Harris. Royal stayed in touch with his ex-Basie colleagues as well, recording with the big bands of Ernie Wilkins and Frank Wess in 1990. ~ Chris Kelsey, Rovi
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Marshall Royal
Marshall Royal (or Marshal Royal, 12 May 1912 – 5 May 1995) was an American clarinettist and alto saxophonist best known for his work with Count Basie, with whose band he played for nearly twenty years.
Royal was born in Oklahoma, the elder brother of trumpeter Ernie Royal, and learned to play violin, guitar, as well as clarinet and sax while still a child. He first performed in public at the age of thirteen, starting his professional career with an eight-year stint with Les Hite's band (1931–1939), during which time he also recorded with Art Tatum. He spent 1940 to 1942 with Lionel Hampton, until the war interrupted his career. After his military service (during which he played in a Navy band), Royal played with Eddie Heywood, then went on to work in studios in Los Angeles, California.
In 1951 Royal replaced Buddy DeFranco as clarinettist with Count Basie's septet, which Basie had formed after circumstances forced him to dissolve his big band. When the Basie band was reformed the following year, Royal stayed on as lead alto saxophonist and as music director — not to leave until 1970. Though he was admired as an occasional soloist, his main rôle was as an important part of the reeds section, and as a leader who helped to give Basie's sound its distinctively precise yet swinging character.
When he left Basie in 1970, Royal settled permanently in Los Angeles, continuing to play and record, working with Bill Berry's big band, Frank Capp and Nat Pierce, Earl Hines, and Duke Ellington.
Royal recorded as a soloist with Dave Frishberg in 1977, and with Warren Vache in 1978. He co-led a band with Snooky Young in the 1970s and 1980s, recording with it in 1978,[1] and with Ella Fitzgerald and Gene Harris, among others. In 1989 he took the lead alto chair with Frank Wess's big band.
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Discography
- 1960: Gordon Jenkins Presents (Everest)
- 1978: First Chair (Concord Jazz)
- 1978: Snooky and Marshall's Album with Snooky Young[2]
- 1980: Royal Blue (Concord Jazz)
As sideman
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With Clifford Coulter
- Do It Now! (Impulse!, 1971)
References
Sources and external links
- Ian Carr, Digby Fairweather, & Brian Priestley. Jazz: The Rough Guide. ISBN 1-86356-526-3
- Marshall Royal — brief biography by Chris Kelsey at AllMusic
- Recorded Telephone Interview of Frank Foster — alumnus of the Basie band recalls how Marshal Royal would read "Jet" magazine on his stand while he performed
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Mentioned in
Count Basie: In England, 1965
(1993 Music Film)
Festival Time
(1979 Album by Ross Tompkins)
Kansas City Style
(1945 Album by Count Basie)
Corner Pocket
(1992 Album by Count Basie)
Snooky & Marshall's Album
(1978 Album by Snooky Young with Marshal Royal)
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