The quartet was established in Leeds in 2002 while all the members of the group were studying towards their jazz degrees at Leeds College of Music.Their music is mainly rooted in jazz/experimental jazz and styles of ethnic music of various origins. All of their repertoire is original compositions by the groups members, with the sole exception of the use of old folk melodies and rhymes incorporated into their own contemporary compositions. The group has a very strong focus on improvisation and using vocal techniques that might be unfamiliar to most ears. the group is quickly becoming established on the jazz and world music scenes with successful tours to the USA in 2004 and 2005, and Norway 2003, 2005 and 2006.Their very first album "Nordic Initiative" was released June 2005 as an independant release.You can purchase the cd online at http://www.cdroots.com/royst-01.html
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Royst toured England in June 2007 and for parts of the tour they were joined by the fenomenal Iain Ballamy on saxophone, The LIMA sax Quartet and Norwegian precussionist Thomas Stronen. They presented a double bill concert in Leeds and in Birmingham, supported by LIMA, Leeds Jazz, Jazz Yorkshire, Norsk musikkfond, Birmingham Jazz and the Cobweb Collective.
Royst will also be returning to the United States and visit Mexico in October and November this year. In Mexico they will mainly be conducting workshops in the city of Tijuana, but also appear in a performance.
Royst is proud to have made it to the finals of two prestigeous a'capella competitions this year, one in Finland and one in Austria, but due to the members of Royst's busy schedules they are unable to attend either event. They hope to be able to re-enter for 2008!
