by Marshal Royal
Marshal Royal was at the core of the Count Basie Orchestra for twenty years during its resurgence in the 1950s and 1960s. Before that he was a pioneer of jazz on the West Coast of the USA, playing with many bands in and around Los Angeles. A child prodigy, who played both violin and saxophone, Royal was literally born on the road, as his parents (who were travelling musicians) made their way west. His memoirs give a vivid account of his work in Les Hite's band at Sebastian's New Cotton Club, where Royal worked with many stars including Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. He became a founder member and 'straw boss' of Lionel Hampton's Orchestra after a wartime career in US Navy bands. Leaving Hampton, Royal made countless recordings as a freelance before joining Basie, where he was responsible for rehearsing the Orchestra. Three chapters offer an insider's view of the latter-day Basie band. After leaving Basie, as well as continuing his prolific recording career Royal became internationall
V. E. Schwab
Alex Popa
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