Best '30s backward glance

Royal Garden Trio
Actor Sean Penn has been heard on several occasions referring to his job as his "craft." But if you saw the way the humorless thespian fumbled around on the guitar in Woody Allen's Sweet and Low Down, you'd know that his take on gypsy jazz guitar was green. Rumor has it that Universal Studios is laying the groundwork for a feature film about famed Gypsy jazzman Django Reinhardt next year; may we suggest that Hollywood forgo the big name draw this time and hire a real musician? Someone like Royal Garden trio's guitar man Brian Delaney, perhaps. While there are a few acts around town that specialize in '30s-era Reinhardt-Stephane Grappelli-style jazz, the Royal Garden trio's seasoned know-how makes them a must-see.

METROTIMES - LOCAL FAVES
Liz Copeland Picks her Year's Best Top 5
From MetroTimes, 11/9/2005

Remember that sexy chick radio DJ from The Warriors? The one whose warm intonations could, if it were any other flick, lull you to sleep or put unclean thoughts in your head? Well, she's got nothin' on WDETs Liz Copeland. Though the music Copeland plays is certainly swell - a smooth and thoughtful blend of electronic, ambient and pop - we know male and female fans of Copeland's eclectic radio show (The Liz Copeland Program, 101.9 FM; 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.) who listen strictly for her late-night and persuasive coos between songs. Here are Copeland's top five local records of 2005:

• The Hard Lessons: Gasoline (No Fun)
• Richie Hawtin: DE9/Transitions (Mute)
• The Royal Garden Trio: The Royal Garden Trio (First Street Electrical)
• The Stooges: The Stooges (Remastered) (Elektra/Rhino)
• Various Artists: Searching for Soul: Rare & Classic Soul, Funk and Jazz from Michigan, 1968-1980 (Luv n Haight)

Group Returns with Ambitious, Original Treat

It's the group's second album, with the same non-title as the first; but Michigan's Royal Garden Trio has managed to make an ambitious, broad-ranging album that surpasses even its first - and that's no mean trick.
In fact, RGT's vigorous musical hybrid - blending the Parisian cafe with the American nightclub - manages to be fresh and original without being exotic; a rarity anywhere and nearly unheard of in jazz.
The boys bring an array of guests aboard this time, starting with string bassist Gian Paulo, who gives an already thick trio sound (thanks to Mike Karoub's cello) even more punch. Ann Arbor jazz stalwart James Dapogny lends his piano to a couple of tracks, too, along with trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and others.
Duet singers Paul King and Melissa Brady bring a cabaret feel to "East of the Sun" and "Slow Boat to China." Even more welcome is the talented Detroit folkie Jo Serrapere, who lends a smoky, understated voice to "Undecided."
Davison's Tom Bogardus (who wrote the album's two originals) doubles on tenor guitar and clarinet, with a hard-edged, straight-ahead, Sidney Bechet-like style. Many have chops, but only the best can really make the ballads sing; and Bogardus's lyrical soprano sax on Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" is an album highlight.
Guitarist Brian Delaney admirably distances himself from the faster-and-louder school of Django Reinhardt wannabes, and his Continental style - and his breathing, well-constructed solos - find that elegance, not to mention swing, that so many miss.
Mike Karoub's freewheeling cello playing is such a knockout it's a wonder there aren't more jazz cellists - maybe they're just afraid to sneak out of the conservatory. Listen to him tear it up on the full-band "Viper's Dream" or the album-ending Lang & Venuti vehicle "Raggin' the Scale."
As a bonbon for dessert, Delaney throws in (as an unlisted "hidden track") a guitar solo: Eddie Lang's wistful parlor piece "April Kisses." Bon appetit!

Chris Reitz - Lansing State Journal

Michigan trio jazzes up old Django tunes
By Chris Reitz, for the Lansing State Journal, September 18, 2003

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 musician, with a verteran 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 standards, 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 the relaxed tempos, and while there's nothing frenetic about this delicious CD, it's brimming with energy.

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 soŠwonderful? 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 hass'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, CELLO CITY INK - Newsletter of the New Directions Cello Association, Spring/Summer 2003

THE AMERICAN RAG
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, AC's CD's May 2003

SUBURBAN LIFESTYLES
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 canappreciate 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, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Washington Twp. & Oakland Twp.'s free weekly community paper May 2003

"Their sophisticated brand of early jazz makes me think of Benny Goodman guesting with the Hot Club of France by way of YoYo Ma, with echoes of Argentina, Romania and Spain. The music is smart, sexy and fun-an infectious score for your own private movie."
-- AnnArborMusic.com, June '02

"Seductive, whimsical and romantic-that's the mood of the Royal Garden Trio's eponymous debut collection of early jazz, Dixie and Gypsy swing workings of tunes by such impressive songwriting teams as Gus Kahn and Isham Jones, Duke Ellington and Barney Bigard,Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli, Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson, and others.

The 10-track disc features three familiar names from the Ann Arbor area's music scene: Rhythm guitarist Brian Delaney is also one-third of Summers, Delaney & Sharp; tenor guitarist and clarinetist Tom Bogardus is one of Phil Ogylvie's Rhythm Kings; and cellist Mike Karoub toured with James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band. Their album hits the musical(and emotional) sweet spot without fail- good-timing, sexy and heartbreaking, most often all at once."
-- Courtney Ceronsky, The Ann Arbor News

CD Review--
Picture a long, lithe beautiful woman reclining on a divan, her hair is cut and crimped in the latest jazz baby style, her lips are plump, red and bee stung. She languidly reaches out her daintily manicured hand to an elaborately wrapped box of chocolates, pulls the ribbon and deftly lifts the lid revealing an intriguing assortment of truffles each with their own distinctive aroma and flavor. Smooth, tantalizing and with a beguiling sensuality that brings a wicked smile to her lips she selects a morsel and slowly raises it to her mouth. She bites, and then....she smiles.

Comparing The Royal Garden Trio's first CD to a beautiful box of bonbon's is simple, most certainly because each track is just like savoring a wonderfully rich and complex chocolate. The combination of cello, clarinet, tenor guitar and rhythm guitar create an spicy, warm vintage jazz mix. Cello provides silky depth and flavor, rhythm guitar brings substance and a solid swing beat, while swirling all over this delicious filling the clarinet provides piquancy and a delightfully smooth melodic intrigue.

It won't matter if vintage jazz is you're thing or not - this CD is pure ear candy. Recreating the sounds of vintage jazz in the Hot Club Style are Brian Delaney, Tom Bogardus and Mike Karoub. These extraordinary musicians have produced a sound that is romantic and warm.

The clarinet introduces "September Song" by wrapping the listener in a comfortable cocoon as the cello takes over the familiar theme and then subtly sways into a seductive guitar lead making this one of the most beautiful cuts on this CD.

In "Royal Garden Blues" a whimsical tone is set by the cello and clarinet trading off leads while the guitar smiles on, watching the interplay and occasionally offering an opinion itself.

Slinky and slippery, "Blue Drag" by the legendary jazz artists Reinhardt and Grapelli is the epitome of vintage jazz, bearing an attitude of sly sensuality and is my number one pick.

The Royal Garden Trio's musical box of chocolates will be eagerly consumed by any who dare to open the lid and choose to enjoy the tempting treats found inside. Bon Appetit!

-Maggie Ferguson
The Living Room Acoustic Showcase Newsletter, April 2003

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