Rhythm Royalty

Rhythm Royalty is a band based in the DFW area that started as a way to pay tribute to and play the music of two of the giants of African-American music: Duke Ellington and Count Basie; hence the “Royalty” part of the name. The “Rhythm” part refers to the fact that both Ellington and Basie were pianists in their respective rhythm sections.

The core of this band is the trio or rhythm section consisting of Peter Rioux on piano, Young Heo on acoustic bass, and myself on drums. We also expand the group to include one or more horns as well as a vocalist.

Besides the core repertoire of Basie and Ellington (which includes Billy Strayhorn of course), we also play the music of many other great instrumentalist/composers including Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Mary Lou Williams, and Tadd Dameron to name a few. In addition we play many well-known pieces from the pens of composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and others.

We are available for concerts, club dates, swing dances, and corporate as well as private functions. Additionally, we conduct rhythm section master classes.

Take a look and listen to the video and audio clips below. The vocalist on three of the clips is the wonderful Tatiana “Lady May” Mayfield. The bassist on that occasion was the talented Josh Newburry.