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| Royce Campbell and the Vosbein Magee Big Band, Vagabond (Max Frank Music) Royce Campbell has recorded with many of the greats of the jazz guitar, including legendary Pat Martino, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, and Cal Collins, Pat Martino, John Abercrombie, Larry Coryell, Mundell Lowe, John Pisano, Charlie Byrd, Gene Bertoncini, and Bucky Pizzarelli. Royce has toured in Europe eight times and in Japan ten times as a soloist. Royce has also performed with many other jazz giants 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, Ken Poplowski, Gerry Mulligan, Houston Person, Freddy Cole, Vanessa Rubin, Jimmy Cobb, Fred Hersch, Rosemary Clooney, and Mose Allison. Acclaimed jazz player Royce Campbell's music brings together a range of styles, influences, and technical skill, defining his own unique approach to jazz guitar. As a full-time musician for over 40 years, Campbell has recorded music with more than a dozen labels in the U.S. and internationally, with twelve projects making the jazz radio airplay charts-including four reaching the top ten. Campbell has been featured on the covers of String Jazz and Just Jazz Guitar. He also has been featured in profiles in Jazz Times, Down Beat, Guitar Player Magazine, 21st Century Guitar, Japan's Swing Journal and Germany's Akustik Gitarre. Campbell takes center stage on Vagabond, the electrifying new release featuring the Vosbein Magee Big Band—the finest big band in the Shenandoah Valley. Known for his smooth, expressive phrasing and masterful technique, Campbell spent two decades touring with Henry Mancini, and his deep-rooted jazz sensibility shines through on every track of this concert recording. As Quincy Jones once said, "every note Royce plays is perfect."Vagabond showcases ten original compositions by Campbell, alongside the jazz classic "Body and Soul, " all brought to life with dynamic big band arrangements by legendary jazz arranger Carroll DeCamp—who also happens to be Campbell's uncle. Remarkably, all but one of these arrangements are being played for the first time. The result is a seamless blend of tradition and innovation, where Campbell's fluid guitar work meets the power and precision of a top-tier big band. Formed in 2015, the Vosbein Magee Big Band has built a reputation for performing music that isn't heard elsewhere. With a commitment to bringing unique and underexplored jazz works to life, the ensemble blends deep musicality with an adventurous spirit. Terry Vosbein is the co-leader of the Vosbein Magee Big Band. Vosbein has received numerous commissions to write works from such organizations as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art. He has arranged for such diverse groups as the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, the Virginia Choral Society, and the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has composed works for orchestra, wind ensemble, various chamber ensembles, and choir. He has written works for jazz bands of all sizes. And his compositions have been performed all over the world. Vosbein is also the founder and curator of the Stan Kenton Research Center, the only center dedicated solely to the music and career of the legendary big band icon and music educator. Their collaboration with Campbell on Vagabond is yet another example of their dedication to innovation while honoring the big band tradition. From the title track's adventurous spirit to the lush harmonies and swinging rhythms that define the album, Vagabond is a testament to Campbell's artistry and the collective energy of this stellar ensemble. Whether it's hard-swinging charts or intimate ballads, this album is a must-hear for jazz lovers everywhere. TRACKS, TIMES, SOLOS: 1. Peepers (4:57) solos: Campbell, Niess 2. Gentle Breeze (5:15) solos: Campbell, Billings, Schnepper (sop.), Magee 3. A Sharp Blues (5:41) solos: Campbell, Bowen, Lundberg, Moody, Billings, Cotton 4. Body and Soul (6:04) solo: Campbell 5. Mambo Puente (3:55) solos: Campbell, Magee 6. Moon Cycle (5:02) solos: Moser (flugelhorn), Moody, Campbell 7. Vagabond (6:43) solos: Campbell, Schnepper (sop.) 8. Middle Ground (3:18) solo: Campbell 9. Dancing Waterfall (5:34) solos: Moffit, Campbell 10. Inner Peace (4:32) solos: Campbell, Schnepper (fl.), Greaney 11. Viper (4:36) solos: Campbell, Cotton All titles were composed by Royce Campbell, except for "Body and Soul, " which was composed by Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, John Green, and Robert Sour. All arrangements are by Carroll DeCamp. PLAYER, INSTRUMENT: SAXOPHONE Bill Schnepper – alto, soprano, flute Greg Moody – alto, clarinet, percussion James Cotton – tenor, clarinet Kelli Birchfield – tenor Kyle Greaney – bari RHYTHM Matthew Billings – piano Bob Bowen – upright & electric bass DeWayne Peters – drums DIRECTOR Terry Vosbein (VOSS-bine-rhymes with wine) TRUMPET Chris Magee Alec MoserBrian QuakenbushKerry Moffit TROMBONE Matt Niess Tom Lundberg Tom McKenzie Tyler Bare – bass GUITAR Royce Campbell CREDITS: Artist: Royce Campbell and the Vosbein Magee Big Band Album: Vagabond Label: Max Frank Music Street Date: April 21, 2025 Add Date: May 19, 2025 Label Website: maxfrankmusic.com/catalog/vagabond write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |