Kyle Roussel – Rookie Of The Year

Kyle Roussel opens Rookie of the Year, his debut release as bandleader, with great power and determination.

It’s as if the keyboardist and composer is declaring “I am here; I have arrived.”

The song, “King Kyle,” a Roussel original, lives up to its regal title and speaks of the pianist’s musically diverse interests and background. Within this one selection, there are classical, jazz, rock and electronic elements with more to come later in the disc. Roussel also utilizes an array of keyboards—acoustic and electric pianos, organ, Fender Rhodes and a clavinet—giving each tune its own personality.

Rookie of the Year is a rather deceptive title considering that the keyboardist spent two-and-a-half years on the road with the world-renowned Dirty Dozen Brass Band, recorded with the legendary Headhunters and is regularly heard with noted jazz artists such as drummer Shannon Powell and trumpeter Christian Scott.

As leader, Roussel, 26, surrounds himself primarily with his peers. Teamed with musicians like drummer Alvin Ford, Jr. (now with Dumpstaphunk) and guitarist Darryl McCoy, Jr., Roussel and his band bring on a ton of spirited energy that is hip to today’s sound. He even utilizes a voice-altering vocoder.

Another original, “Medicated Madness” offers a change of pace with the pianist swinging acoustically in a trio format with Powell at the drums and Roland Guerin on bass. Roussel’s “Effortless Mastery” unusually marries the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Alexey Marti’s congas and percussionist Bill Summers’ shekere with the piano and guitar, providing a melody that suggests Middle Eastern influences.

Rookie of the Year comes on strong, muscled by the talent, imagination and vision of Kyle Roussel. He’s no novice.