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LANSING STATE JOURNAL September 18th, 2003 By Chris Rietz There are two things that distinguish the Royal Garden Trio's Self-titled CD from other string-jazz ensembles: first, they have a jazz cellist. I don't know how Detroiter Mike Karoub handles Bach or Dvorak, but he's a serious jazz musicin, with a veteran jazzman's vocabulary and formidable chops. The trio's other distinction is Ann Arbor guitarist Brian Delaney, whose background is in the Gypsy jazz tradition, a genre dominated by the great swing-era guitar icon Django Reinhardt. Unlike hordes of Django imitators, however, Delaney can play rock-solid rhythm and, when it's time to solo, he can be lyrical and sweet. Add Tom Bogardus from Davison, who doubles on tenor guitar and clarinet with straightforward phrasing and the result is a refreshing hybrid of European cafe and American dance hall. Some Django tunes("Blue Drag," "Limehouse Blues")are sprinkled among the American swing and Dixieland stndards, with a welcome emphasis on ballads:"I Surrender Dear," Duke Ellington's "Saturday Night Function" a gorgeous treatment of "September Song" The astute know that swing happens best at relaxed tempos, and while there's nothing frenetic about this delicious CD, it's brimming with energy. CELLO CITY INK Newsletter of the New Directions Cello Association, Spring/Summer 2003 The Royal Garden Trio I love it when an album appears in my life that takes me by surprise. Who would suspect that the innocuously named Royal Garden Trio, a swing ensemble in the 30s-era Django Reinhardt/Stephan Grapelli vein would be so...wonderful? Another question that's been asked before, but I'm asking it again, loud: why is the cello not a mainstay in this context? Why hasn't it always been? I can see that in the early pre-amplification days that a fiddle had the ability to cut through the mix a lot easier, but afterwards? On this disc, the cello is sultry, risky, swingin' as hell and downright fun. It is also a CELLO, not a wannabe violin squeaking all the solos out in the upper register in an imitative fashion. Cellist Mike Karoub wails on these tunes, playing as if he were carrying on a long established tradition - indeed the way his cello fits into the group you can almost believe that he is doing just that. The other players in the trio are fabulous in their own right. Guitarist/engineer Brian Delaney, who recorded the tunes live in his living room, has the distinctive stamp of the great Django, yet manages to offer something that is all his own. Clarinetist/tenor guitarist Tom Bogardus is also a great player. In short, the soloing is all excellent if not downright riveting. These musicians clearly love what they're doing & this disc exudes that feeling. Give it a listen, catch the vibe and pass it on. - Corbin Keep THE AMERICAN RAG AC's CD's May 2003 The Royal Garden Trio This is the debut CD of a relatively new Detroit area group that features three veterans of the local jazz scene. Founder and leader of the group, Brian Delaney is a regular in the booming Ann Arbor jazz community. Most recently he played rhythm guitar with the Summers, Delaney and Sharp trio. I first heard Tom Bogardus sitting in on clarinet with a couple of local groups but he has also been a member of Phil Ogilvy's Rhythm Kings, the Red Garter Band and the Paul Skipworth's late, lamented, Second Best Jazz Band. His fine guitar work on this CD was a pleasant surprise. Mike Karoub on cello was another surprise. I'd enjoyed his use of the bow on his string bass and recognized him as one of the top string bass players in the area, but his work on this CD was a revelation. There are definite traces of the Hot Club of France here with some excellent guitar/cello exchanges. But there is much more with the clarinet sometimes playing lead, sometimes supporting the other soloists and the two guitar breaks that give this group a definite sound of its own. They swing mightily when they want to but the overall feeling is one of smooth, relaxed jazz played by friends who know what to expect from each other. This is a CD that has already had a couple of tracks featured on NPR's "All Things Considered" and deserves much more air play. If you're open to consider a different sound in jazz I think you'll enjoy this one! - A. C. Stone SUBURBAN LIFESTYLES Rochester, Rochester Hills, Washington Twp. & Oakland Twp.'s free weekly community paper May 2003 The Royal Garden Trio Leapin' Lizards, this is a good trio! Take some standards from the '30s, add a dash of Dixieland, mix in a little gypsy jazz and you will come close to an accurate description of The Royal Garden Trio. The group is composed of three unique and mighty fine talents. Tom Bogardus plays the tenor guitar with quiet competence, laying down a comfortable rhythm for the ensemble. When he takes out his clarinet, though, watch out - he can really lay down some sweetly smooth grooves on that licorice stick. You could picture Benny Goodman kicking out some of the same slick, jazzy stylings. Brian Delaney is a fabulous jazz guitarist, following in the footsteps of Django Reinhardt and Eddie Lang. Delaney's solos guide the listener through a wonderful world of romanticism or a wild romp of improvisation. If that wasn't enough, stand back for Mike Karoub's cello. He has a beautiful command of the instrument, easily moving from plainly beautiful to sassy. The magical effect of his playing brings a whole different perspective on the group's sound. Karoub delivers a defining touch to some old chestnuts and gives them new life. Listen to the band's interpretation of "St. Louis Blues," which starts out handily as a straight ahead jazz piece, then slides into an infectious tango. Delaney takes over with a simple yet strong blues solo. Karoub answers with a short but bouncy solo, then brings it back around to a traditional yet satisfying ending. If you can appreciate music from these long gone eras, you will love these guys. They know how to make music fun! There are 10 standards on the album, ranging from the opener, "I'll See You In My Dreams," to a touching "September Song," "Limehouse Blues" and ending with "I Found a New Baby." Ah, but how does this group sound in a live setting, you might ask. Let me put it this way: if you like the tunes on this album, you will absolutely love them life. Karoub burns his instrument with playful abandon and you will enjoy watching him delve into his bag of tricks. Delaney is no slouch in the improvisation department and swings with the best of them. When it is Bogardus' turn to jam, he will have you tapping your feet in joy. - Gary Walsh Looking for elegance, sophistication and a whole lot of fun? The Royal Garden Trio's self-titled debut CD provides music with a reverence for the past and eye toward the future. This fresh new group covers an exciting repertoire including traditional jazz, classic show tunes and even exotic gypsy-style swing. The trio's synergy is truly remarkable. The unique instrumentation of cello, guitar and clarinet provides an intimate, accessible musical experience. Trio founder Brian Delaney most recently held down rhythm guitar with the popular Summers, Delaney & Sharp. Brian now stretches out by trading solos with two of metro-Detroit's most seasoned traditional jazz players. Tom Bogardus plays both tenor guitar and clarinet on the recording. His vast experience includes work with Phil Ogyilvy's Rhythm Kings and the Red Garter Band. Tom's creativity and musical ability never let an audience down. Featured soloist Mike Karoub's virtuosity on cello always charges a room with electricity. Mike's toured with Banu Gibson, James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band performed on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion." Ann Arbor Music.com said of The Royal Garden Trio, "Their sophisticated brand of early jazz makes me think of Benny Goodman guesting with the Hot Club of France by way of Yo Yo Ma with echoes of Argentina, Romania and Spain. The music is romantic, smart, sexy and fun - an infectious score for your own private movie." Check out the artist's website: http://theroyalgardentrio.com Track List: 1. I'll See You In My Dreams 2. Royal Garden Blues 3. Saturday Night Function 4. Blue Drag 5. September Song 6. Limehouse Blues 7. I Surrender Dear 8. St. Louis Blues 9. Louisiana Fairy Tale 10. I Found A New Baby Suggested CDs:Other Genres:
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