ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605030021
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS HENSON
Roanoke's burgeoning jazz scene will get another shot in the arm tonight when Royce Campbell brings his guitar to O'Dell's Restaurant on the Roanoke City Market for an evening of world-class music.
A 19-year veteran of the Henry Mancini Orchestra, Campbell's extensive experience has put him in intimate solo gigs and hot combo concerts all around the world. He's toured America, Europe and crossed Japan 9 times. "The audiences in Japan are so appreciative," Campbell said in a phone interview. "When you play in a club over there, they're real quiet. It's nice."
Campbell moved to Harrisonburg recently when his girlfriend got a teaching job at JMU. "It seemed real obvious soon after arriving that the work around here would involve a lot of driving," he said. He has already played in Blacksburg, Charlottesville and Manassas.
Tonight Campbell will be accompanied by local musicians Charlie Perkinson on bass and Tyrone Walker on drums. "With a pickup band like that I'll be doing mostly standards," he said.
Campbell has recorded several albums over the years including tributes to jazz guitar great Wes Montgomery, who was a major influence on Campbell's own playing. The album featured other fret-masters like Tal Farlow and Herb Ellis.
More recently, Campbell has recorded "Tribute to Henry Mancini," a collection of familiar favorites that has found its way into the jazz charts across the country.
Campbell's recordings can be found in local record stores and can be heard on the "Jeff Hunt Show" on WVTF-FM. O'Dell's Restaurant is located on Salem Avenue near the Fret Mill.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB