Debut Album Notes
The Royal Garden Trio first performed on January 3rd, 2002 in Ann Arbor Michigan.
A little over one month prior, guitarist Brian Delaney played for the first time with Cellist Mike Karoub and Tenor Guitarist Clarinetist Tom Bogardus at an event in Rochester, Michigan. It was during that performance that it became apparent to all that a new musical entity was in the making. "I had just finished a three-year stint with (the Django Reinhardt-influenced) Summers, Delaney & Sharp, and was looking for an avenue to broaden my jazz horizons and branch out a bit from Gypsy Jazz. It occured to me that both Mike and Tom have vast experience playing traditional jazz from a primarily American perspective. I knew jazz from a more European perspective, and combining forces, I knew we would end up with a potent mix of styles".
Within months the trio began meeting to record, with the idea of releasing a recording. RGT took it two or three songs at a time and eventually had enough material to release a debut in October of 2002.
Meanwhile, the trio continued to hone its live chops in a variety of settings, from cafes to higher-profile events like Detroit's Comerica Tastefest.
Upon release, the CD has recieved critical acclaim from both music lovers and the press. Dr. Arwulf, WEMU FM's program host of "The Sunday Best" called The Royal Garden Trio debut "Record of the year". NPR's "All Things Considered" has added it to its family of "music buttons" and even Canadian music luminary Jurgen Gothe has been know to spin a track or two on his ever-popular CBC Radio Two program "Disc Drive".
The trio is excited about their musical future and the gigs and recordings to come. Looking forward to a schedule of gigs into the summer of 2003 and beyond, Brian Delaney beamed and said, "It's been a blast already and we're really only beginning to define what this trio is really capable of."
Don't just take Brian's word for it- come out and listen for yourself.
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