Khris Royal & Dark Matter

Khris Royal & Dark Matter is a young alternative funk band steeped in jazz flavors on the forefront of the NOLA music scene. They have secured their spot among the immensely talented acts emerging from a revitalized New Orleans by headlining at local music meccas such as the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street and the famed Maple Leaf Bar. The band is quickly building momentum on a national scale, with killer debut sets at both the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Tent) and Gulf Shore's Hangout Festival. During Jazz Fest 2011, Khris Royal & Dark Matter had the honor of backing funk legends Doug Wimbish & Corey Glover (of Living Colour) as part of their side project, WIMBASH, and opening for the Funky Meters at Tipitina's. Khris Royal was born to be a musician.

Khris Royal & Dark Matter is a young alternative funk band steeped in jazz flavors on the forefront of the NOLA music scene. They have secured their spot among the immensely talented acts emerging from a revitalized New Orleans by headlining at local music meccas such as the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street and the famed Maple Leaf Bar. The band is quickly building momentum on a national scale, with killer debut sets at both the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Tent) and Gulf Shore's Hangout Festival. During Jazz Fest 2011, Khris Royal & Dark Matter had the honor of backing funk legends Doug Wimbish & Corey Glover (of Living Colour) as part of their side project, WIMBASH, and opening for the Funky Meters at Tipitina's.

Khris Royal was born to be a musician. The New Orleans native began playing the saxophone at seven years old, and producing and writing music at fourteen. Mr. Royal's musical talents were nurtured at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) High School, in classrooms once shared by jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Terrence Blanchard, and Donald Harrison. When Mr. Royal was only 16, he was granted a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

To date, Mr. Royal has played with hip-hop giants and jazz and funk legends alike, from Lettuce to Bobby Brown, Alvin Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, Christian Scott, Branford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, Tony Clifton, The Sam Kininger Band, and Johnta Austin. He has recorded with Mary J. Blige, Ashanti, Nelly and The Game, Erykah Badu, Goapele, D.J. Quick, and is also featured with the Regiment on Season 2 of The Boondocks. Mr. Royal has developed relationships with prominent New Orleans artists, such as George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, Fred Wesley, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Galactic, and countless others. Although Mr. Royal continues to expand and develop his craft, from jazz, hip-hop, rock, soul, electronic, funk, R & B, Blues, and Ska--musically, there is not much he has not already mastered and incorporated into his unique style.

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4/23/12: Khris Royal & Dark Matter

The progressive-funk outfit, led by dynamic saxophonist Khris Royal, is searing its way across the New Orleans music scene.

Khris Royal & Dark Matter

The progressive-funk outfit, led by dynamic saxophonist Khris Royal, is searing its way across the New Orleans music scene.

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