Royce Campbell


Royce Campbell is a jazz guitarist from Indiana who was a member of the Henry Mancini orchestra for twenty years.

Musical career

He was born in North Vernon, Indiana. When he was five, his mother married a career Navy man, and Campbell grew up in cities throughout the U.S. and the world. Exposure to a variety of genres contributed to his musical style. A love for rock and roll marked his first connection with the guitar, at the age of nine, when he discovered Chuck Berry. Like many guitarists of his generation, he was influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton.
By the time he finished high school in Spain in the early 1970s, he had decided to pursue a career in music. His uncle, pianist Carroll DeCamp, who had done arrangements for Stan Kenton and Les Elgart, invited him to Indianapolis to live and study. His uncle provided his education in music theory and composition. At 21, he toured with rhythm and blues singer Marvin Gaye before spending twenty years as a member of the Henry Mancini orchestra. He held the job until Mancini's death in 1994.
During the 1990s, Campbell recorded more as a leader. In 1993, he produced Project G-5: A Tribute to Wes Montgomery which also featured guitarists Tal Farlow, Jimmy Raney, Herb Ellis, and fellow Hoosier Cal Collins. His 1994 album 6x6 featured guitarists Pat Martino, John Abercrombie, Larry Coryell, Dave Stryker, and Bucky Pizzarelli. On Project G-5: A Tribute to Joe Pass he combined the talents of Charlie Byrd, Gene Bertoncini, Mundell Lowe, and John Pisano.
In November 2010, Campbell was inducted into the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation Hall of Fame.

Discography

YearTitleLabel
1990Nighttime DaydreamsTimeless
1991Gentle Breeze Timeless
1992VistaRaised Eyebrow; Sin-Drome
1993Elegy to a FriendRaised Eyebrow; Moon Cycle
1993A Tribute to Wes Montgomery by Project G-5Paddlewheel/King ; Evidence
19946 x 6 Paddlewheel/King ; Moon Cycle
1995Make Me RainbowsPositive Music
1995A Tribute to Henry ManciniEpisode; String Jazz
1998PitapatA Records/Challenge
1998Hands Across the Water String Jazz
1999A Tribute to Joe Pass by Project G-5Paddlewheel/King
1999Royce Campbell with StringsChase Music
1999Remembering Wes Savant
2002TrioingJardis
2003A Tribute to Charlie Byrd Jardis
2003A Jazz Guitar ChristmasMoon Cycle
2005Plays for Lovers Moon Cycle
2006Gypsy SoulMoon Cycle
2007Get HappyFoxhaven
2007A Solo Guitar ChristmasMoon Cycle
2008The Art of Chord Solo GuitarMoon Cycle
2008A Jazz Guitar Christmas, Volume IIMoon Cycle
2008Trio By StarlightPhilology
2008Roses & WinePhilology
2009Solo Wes: A Solo Guitar Tribute to Wes MontgomeryMoon Cycle
2009Solo Mancini: A Solo Guitar Tribute to Henry ManciniMoon Cycle
2009All Standards...and a BluesPhilology
2009Movie Songs Project Philology
2010ConceptsMoon Cycle
2010What is This Thing CalledPhilology
2010Solo Trane: A Solo Guitar Tribute to John ColtraneMoon Cycle
2011Jazz Blues Moon Cycle
2012All Ballads...and a BossaMoon Cycle
2012The BeginningMoon Cycle
2015Romancing the ToneMoon Cycle
2017Tea for Three Moon Cycle
2018Duo Moon Cycle
2019Organ TrioMoon Cycle

Additional sources