Kyle Roussel
Kyle Roussel | |
---|---|
Born | |
Occupation(s) | Musician, record producer |
Instrument(s) | Piano, Organ, Keyboards, and Drums |
Years active | 2006–present |
Website | kylearoussel |
Kyle Roussel (born April 26, 1988) is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, engineer, bandleader, educator, and actor from
Early life, education, and influences
Roussel was raised in Boutte, Louisiana, a small town on the outskirts of New Orleans, Louisiana. From a young age, he began picking out songs on his sister's toy keyboard by ear until Frozine Francis, a proper piano teacher married to his uncle's father (and mother of popular movie composer Elvin Ross), started teaching him.[3] He began studying classical piano with her at age 9, and began playing in churches at age 12, including a number of denominations including Catholic, Methodist, AME, CME, Pentecostal, Baptist, COGIC, Full Gospel, and non-denominational.[2] He regularly participated in classical piano competitions on weekends and played at multiple churches on Sundays until one of his church members recommended that he audition for New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, where he was first introduced to jazz.[4] There he was mentored by the late Alvin Batiste, along with Michael Pellera, Mike Rihner, and Chris Severin. After graduating high school in 2006, he was offered a scholarship to attend Berklee School of Music but decided to attend the University of New Orleans on a full paid scholarship.[5]
Music career
Early career
Roussel attended Hahnville High School and was a 2006 graduate of the
As a touring musician
Roussel's career as a touring musician started with
Roussel's career has seen him perform at festivals such as the
As a producer and studio musician
As a session musician, Roussel has worked with artists such as
As a producer, Roussel has produced records for Shango[BUNMI] Durotimi, Roussel Maajon, and Quiana Lynell.[12]
Solo projects
Roussel's first album as a leader (Rookie of the Year) was released in 2014, from which he cites influences including Jazz, Funk, Rock, Classical, New Orleans music, and Electronic elements.[13] The album features Shannon Powell, Weedie Braimah, Bill Summers, Alvin Ford, Alexey Marti, Roland Guerin, DJ Raymond, and Darryl McCoy Jr.[14]
His second album as a leader (NOLA à la Mode) was released in 2023 in a solo piano format featuring songs by New Orleans legends James Booker, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, Jelly Roll Morton, and Harold Battiste along with a handful of original compositions.[15]
Acting career
Roussel appeared as an actor with a major role in the AMC series Interview with the Vampire (TV series) as Jelly Roll Morton, and has also appeared in other major motion pictures such as Black or White (film), Girls Trip, One Night in Miami…, and Music Pictures: New Orleans.[16]
Discography
Personal projects
- Rookie of the Year (2014)
- Nola Á La Mode (2023)
References
- ^ "Living Blues Living Blues #285: New Releases: Selwyn Birchwood, Boo Boo Davis, and Lil' Jimmy Reed". digital.livingblues.comhttp. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Wyckoff, Geraldine (3 November 2014). "Homegrown talent captures spotlight". Louisiana Weekly. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "SOUND CHECK - ANTIGRAVITY Magazine". 7 May 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Wyckoff, Geraldine (9 July 2018). "NOLa music, as stylistically diverse as the musicians who play it". Louisiana Weekly. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Living Blues Living Blues #285: New Releases: Selwyn Birchwood, Boo Boo Davis, and Lil' Jimmy Reed". Living Blues. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Kyle Roussel". New Orleans. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ Waddington, Chris (1 May 2015). "Kyle Roussel paired smooth jazz with a sunny morning at New Orleans Jazz Fest". NOLA. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "Irma Thomas, Love Is the Foundation (Newvelle Records) - OffBeat Magazine". Offbeat. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ "SOUND CHECK - ANTIGRAVITY Magazine". 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Kyle Roussell Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & Mo..." AllMusic. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ Wirt, John (2023-09-13). "Louisiana's Quiana Lynell releases second album, 'Pillow Talk': 'I'm singing for my soul'". The Advocate. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Homegrown talent captures spotlight". www.louisianaweekly.com. 2014-11-03. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Kyle Roussel, Rookie of the Year (Independent) - OffBeat Magazine". www.offbeat.com. 2014-12-29. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Living Blues Living Blues #285: New Releases: Selwyn Birchwood, Boo Boo Davis, and Lil' Jimmy Reed". digital.livingblues.comhttp. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Kyle Roussel | Actor, Music Artist". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-06-11.