Album Notes

Hello, my name is Roy King and I've been playing drums all my life. This CD came about as a result of jazz promoter, Jim Wadsworth asking me to assemble a piano jazz trio to play on Saturday nights for the Night Town restaurant located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Being leader gave me an opportunity to hire my long time friend and Bassist, Martin Block, and repay him for all the times he recommended me to other musicians, like pianist Mike Petrone, with whom we recorded a CD "Alot Like Us", which is very popular in Japan.
Leo Coach is the piano player I was able to secure fisrt for the Night Town gig. I had heard and enjoyed Leo's playing, but I never had the opportunity to work with him until Night Town. The three of us developed a rapport with each other, and I decided to take the trio out to Suma Recording and lay down some tracks ,including an original composition by Leo called, "Love is the Fire", which is included in this album. Leo has a great affinity for Latin American styles which he shows in this tune.
During the autumn of 2007, pianist Joe Hunter became available to play at Night Town. It was our luck because Leo had hurt his hands doing a home remodeling project and was unable to play with us at Night Town. Thankfully, Leo has recovered and plays with us whenever he is available.
Meanwhile, Joe Hunter's great ability to hone his style to reflect the great masters of jazz piano playing caused me to take us to Suma Recording for another session. Check out "Lullaby of the Leaves", "What'l I Do", and "There is No Greater Love" and hear Joe's swinging style on the piano.
Dan Maier is a piano player I always wanted to work with and I had my wish come true in the spring of 2008. Dan has many musicial influences and he will bring any one of them out at any time, which makes for interesting musicial moments. Dan is on "My Romance, "St. Thomas", "Reverie", and his own composition, "Waltz for Chic". A rapport developed with Dan so again, off to Suma Recording for another session.
Releasing an Album with three pianists on it is a little different, but everyone who has heard the CD is amazed at the consistency of the sound, and the sophisticated, respectful approach to the music. Here's what Dan Poletta, nightly jazz host on WCPN 90.3FM ideastream has to say,
"Actors will often tell you that it is harder to make someone laugh than to cry, but too often these days, art that brings pleasure is given short shrift. Drummer Roy King and his comrades don't let that limited attitude guide their work. They go about the serious business of making swinging jazz that is filled with joy. While we've never had much use for royalty, we'll make an exception to hail "the King" and his court for making the kind of recording that will never have you reaching for the "skip" button on your CD player. Hearing this kind of jazz is a true pleasure. Enjoy!"
Thank you,
Roy King