Album Notes

Jazz guitarist Royce Campbell departs from his usual jazz style with a gypsy jazz style project."Gypsy Soul" is not an attempt to imitate or copy the style of Django Reinhart, but instead a project by Campbell doing new compositions that have been influenced by the gypsy jazz masters. Having released jazz recordings in the mainstream jazz, smooth jazz and avant- garde jazz, Campbell proves by this project that he is one of the most versatile guitarists in jazz.
Royce Campbell has produced a number of CD's which feature him in the company of many of the greats of the jazz guitar, including legendary guitarists Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, and Cal Collins, Pat Martino, John Abercrombie, Larry Coryell, Dave Stryker and Bucky Pizzarelli. His latest project for Paddlewheel, Project G-5, A Tribute to Joe Pass, includes Charlie Byrd, Gene Bertoncini, Mundel Lowe, and John Pisano.
A Tribute To Henry Mancini, on Episode Records, is one of Royce's personal favorites. This CD was the highest rated jazz guitar CD in the country on the radio airplay charts for four weeks reaching #8 overall and received much critical acclaim. All in all 11 consecutive recordings produced by Royce have made it onto the national radio airplay charts.
Royce has toured in Europe eight times and toured Japan ten times as a soloist. Royce has also performed with many jazz greats such as Mel Torme, James Moody, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Jack McDuff, Ray Brown, Dave Brubeck, Joe Williams, Cleo Laine, Eddie Daniels, Eddie Harris, Frank Morgan and Mose Allison.
Royce was featured on the cover of the two main jazz guitar magazines String Jazz and Just Jazz Guitar. He was also featured in profiles in Jazz Times, Down Beat, Guitar Player Magazine, 21st Century Guitar, Japan's Swing Journal and Germany's Akustik Gitarre. It is apparent that more and more people are becoming aware of Royce Campbell's talents as a world class jazz guitar master.