Legendary Jazz Guitarist Teddy Royal Brings his Smooth Sound to Mainstage

As a boy growing up in the Bronx, Teddy Royal admired a Winston guitar in a neighborhood music store window. He used money from his shoe-shining job to pay for it on lay-away. From those humble beginnings, Royal went on to develop one of the smoothest sounds in the business. Throughout his career, he’s recorded for Motown with the band Hearts of Stone, played as Fats Domino’s lead guitarist for 30 years, and was sought out by artists including the Neville Brothers, Lou Rawls and Patti LaBelle for accompaniment on their recordings.

Now, on the heels of the release of his latest CD, Serenade, Royal brings his legendary sound to Camden County College’s Dennis Flyer Theater, March 13, 7:30 p.m. Appearing as part of the Teddy Royal Trio, Royal will be accompanied by Gregory McDonald (percussion), Dan Kostelnik (organ), and soloist Tim Norman. Special guest, Ron Olender (Saxophone) will join them. This event is presented by Mainstage Center for the Arts.

“I’ll be bringing New Orleans to Mainstage in a concert that you won’t forget. The guys in the band are the best cats around. They make you feel what you’re playing. You’re always in the groove with these guys,” said Royal. “Greg’s a famous drummer, Dan’s like Jimmy McGriff, Jack Mac Duff and Jimmy Smith all in one. Then, we have Tim, a soulful crooner who sings in the style of Lou Rawls. Plus, Ron, our guest saxophone player; he can really blow.”

The concert will feature some Fats Domino tunes like “Blueberry Hill” and “I’m Walking,” other well-known songs like “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Out of My Head.” Also, there will be songs from Teddy’s earlier CDs like “Red Beans,” a tune in homage to his usual meal of red beans and rice from a favorite restaurant in New Orleans, along with very personal numbers from Serenade.

“Of course I’ll play some Fats Domino in tribute to the many years I played with him. Fats took care of me like a father does for a son. I treasure his kindness, music, and my memories with him,” said Royal. “After Hurricane Katrina, he asked me to play a show for the Tipitina’s Foundation to replace instruments musicians lost in Katrina. His basest, Irvin Charles had passed away and Fats wanted me to play base. I told him that I didn’t play base and that I needed a month to learn. He flew me down. I stayed with him and practiced every day. I prayed every day for the wisdom to be able to play. I learned and did the show. The best part was staying with him, playing late at night at his house, Fats on piano and me on the base.”

The songs Royal will play from Serenade also evoke memories – memories of his late manager, Gudrun Fazzina, with whom Royal shared happy years in England in the 1990s.

“My new CD is dedicated to her. She believed in me. When others forgot me, she recorded my CDs and booked me in some fun venues. Those were wonderful times in England, playing places like Ronnie Scott’s and the Pizza Express Jazz Club in SoHo with Hank Crawford .”

With a playlist drawn from his experiences making music in England, other parts of Europe, New Orleans and throughout the U.S., Teddy Royal in Concert will be musical feast for jazz and R&B lovers.

“Teddy is a guitar legend who puts on a really entertaining show. He’s also a great storyteller. Both long-time fans and new audiences will enjoy this concert. said Ed Fiscella, MCA co-founder and artistic director.

Tickets to this intimate engagement range from $15 to $20. To purchase tickets, visit www.mainstage.org or call (855) 936-2467, ext. 3. This performance is sponsored by Comegno Law Group, PC.

Mainstage Center for the Arts, head quartered at Academy Hall, Blackwood, Gloucester Township, with performances located at Camden County College, Blackwood, NJ is committed to making the arts experience enjoyable for all its patrons. In an effort to make the shows, concerts, events, workshops, classes, and offices accessible to as many as possible, Mainstage offers many services for patrons requiring assistance. For anyone in need of assistance, please notify the office at (855) 963-2467, ext.3, at the time of purchasing tickets, or at least five days prior to the event you are attending.Mainstage Center for the Arts, the parent program for Summer Stage, is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization committed to providing a creative, vibrant, and nurturing environment for youth and adults. This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.