KYLE A. ROUSSEL
PRESS
He Inherited a New Orleans Institution. What Does He Owe?
The New York Times
By: Brett Martin
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"New Orleans musicians are accustomed to piecing together a patchwork of gigs high and low, says the P.H.J.B.’s pianist, Kyle Roussel, who, among other things, plays Sunday mornings alongside the renowned drummer Herlin Riley at the tiny Greater New Home Missionary Baptist Church, in the Lower Ninth Ward. Even world-class musicians may find themselves playing one night at the 2,100-seat Mahalia Jackson Theater, the next on a platform by baggage claim at Louis Armstrong Airport. So, is it possible to make a living as a member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band? “Yes,” Roussel says. He also says he doesn’t know anyone who actually does."
NOLA.com/The Times Picayune
By: Chris Waddington
"Kyle Roussel woke the crowd at New Orleans Jazz Fest with a smooth, stylish opening set at the Jazz Tent. The young New Orleans pianist brought a tightly knit sextet and a program of originals suited to morning-drive time, coffee-time, just-about-ready-to-dance-in-your-seat-time."
The Louisiana Weekly
By: Geraldine Wyckoff
"Rookie of the Year is the rather deceptive title of Kyle Roussel’s debut album as a leader. After all, 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 highly regarded artists such as drummer Shannon Powell and trumpeter Christian Scott. A seasoned musician, Roussel, who celebrates the release of the CD at Snug Harbor on Sunday, November 9, hardly fits the description of novice as the word rookie is defined."
The Louisiana Weekly
By: Geraldine Wyckoff
“I think just playing in church in general is the best musical education one can get,” he continues. “It’s like the most ear-training, it’s picking up things on the side, it’s listening to other musicians and it’s the best hands-on training. I think it brings another perspective in understanding music. So often, especially if you go to a college for music, it’s so educational – learning about notes and chord changes and how to play scales. Playing in church, it’s based on feeling, it’s based on spirituality. I lot of the musicians who play in the church can’t read music or don’t have a formal education but they’re great musicians because it comes from the heart.”
Offbeat Magazine
By: Geraldine Wyckoff
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 comes on strong, muscled by the talent, imagination and vision of Kyle Roussel. He’s no novice."
NOLA.com/The Times Picayune
By: Chris Waddington
"Kyle Roussel stepped out with an expansive solo on "Toni," an Ellis Marsalis composition. Roussel's powerful octaves and fleet runs sometimes recalled the work of Errol Garner, but the young pianist's own brand of lyricism came through, too – as it did when he led his electric band in the Jazz Tent on Friday."
NOLA.com/The Times Picayune
By: Chris Waddington
"Powell was equally circumspect when Roussel built a compelling solo full of dramatic octaves, immaculate upper register trills, and cascading single note runs. Roussel shares the effortless organic time sense of the grandest keyboard masters -- Errol Garner, Ahmad Jamal and Red Garland -- but he makes his own music from their charmed legacy."
Offbeat Magazine
By: John Swenson
"Kyle Roussel does exceptional work accompanying Thomas on piano, Wurlitzer and B3 organ."
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