Search - Royce Campbell :: Elegy To A Friend

Whether it is trading "licks" with guitarists of such diversity as John Abercrombie or Bucky Pizzarelli on "6x6," playing romantic, melodic solos on "Royce Campbell Plays For Lovers," or exploring gypsy jazz on the recent "Gypsy Soul" jazz guitarist Royce Campbell has proven to be a versatile, musical guitarist no matter what the setting, and this new CD, Elegy to a Friend," is no exception. However, the style of jazz Campbell presents here is more "cutting edge" than Campbell?s previous CD releases, so it reveals the more experimental side of Campbell?s playing and composing, a side of Campbell that has, until now, only been exposed in concert. Accompanying him into the world of experimental jazz are woodwind player Terrence Cook, bassist Ratzo Harris, and the late Stan Gage on drums to whom the CD is dedicated. Stan Gage died at the much too young age of 47 without much recorded output, so hopefully this CD will help to expose the great talents that Stan possessed. With this release Campbell proves once again why he is considered one of the most versatile guitarists in jazz. It was long overdue for Campbell to show this side of his playing on recordings, and "Elegy To A Friend" is a perfect vehicle to achieve this.