Performing Friday and Saturday
John Royen was born in Washington, D.C. in 1955, John has performed at Preservation Hall for over 35 years, originally taking over the piano chair with the band of “Kid” Thomas Valentine.
John was a protege of the Late Don Ewell and is an exponent of the “stride” piano style. His playing is an eclectic mix of “Jelly Roll” Morton, Fats Waller and Willie “The Lion” Smith among others.
A popular performer, John has worked with virtually every major traditional jazz group in New Orleans. In 2008, John was voted as All Star Jazz Pianist by New Orleans Magazine. He can be seen playing with various groups in clubs around New Orleans. He has been filling the piano chair for internationally known clarinetist Pete Fountain for the last 2 years.
A superb soloist as well, John frequently performs and lectures on traditional jazz for the National Park Service, numerous private groups and festivals nationally and overseas. He was house pianist at the Hilton Hotel in New Orleans for 8 years and had a 2 year residency at the Hotel Intercontinental.
This will be John’s first appearance at the North Carolina Jazz Festival.
