303

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“Rudy is such a dynamic drummer, intensely polyrhythmic, both subtle and explosive. I was delighted when he announced he was working on a record of his own music with a brilliant and eager cast of musicians.”
Dave Douglas

Since moving to New York City in 2006 from his home base in Denver, Rudy Royston has emerged as one of the most exciting and in-demand drummers on the jazz scene. Having already racked up a list of impressive credits as a sideman with the likes of rising star of the tenor sax, J.D. Allen, alto saxophonist Tia Fuller, bassist Ben Allison, guitarist Bill Frisell and trumpeter Dave Douglas,Royston was ready to step out as a leader in his own right. His debut on Greenleaf Music, 303 (named for Denver’s area code), not only features his brilliant and versatile playing on the kit but also showcases his considerable skills as a composer on ten originals.

With a stellar crew of some of the brightest young lights on the New York scene — guitarist Nir Felder, pianist Sam Harris, saxophonist Jon Irabagon, trumpeter Nadje Noordhuis and the two-bass tandem of Mimi Jones and Yasushi Nakamura — Royston and company also turn in dramatic interpretations of Mozart’s “Ave Verum Corpus” and Radiohead’s “High and Dry” on this outstanding debut.