Young Royce Martin of St. Louis is a phenomenon. Soft-spoken and reserved in person, he is an audacious explorer at the keyboard. He reminds me happily of Dick Hyman and Dick Wellstood: there is no greater praise. Here is one of his solo recitals at the fiftieth-anniversary Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival in Sedalia, Missouri, on June 1, 2024. The songs are KING PORTER STOMP / HELIOTROPE BOUQUET / ECHOES OF SPRING / TEMPTATION RAG / CHARLESTON RAG / LILY QUEEN / THE ENTERTAINER and Royce's own SWAGTIME. Recorded with delight and amazement by Michael Steinman for JAZZ LIVES (
ROYCE MARTIN In RECITAL (Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival 6.1.24) For Country: United States. City: Antioch, Cincinnati, Costa Mesa, Garland, Houston
