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Hail the Regal Rage
The Royal Family New Year’s Ball
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Bid adieu to 2009 by having a ball with sovereign rulers of funk from Royal Family Records’ talented roster, including Nigel Hall, Lettuce, Break Science, and, of course, founders Soulive. While waiting for his as-yet-to-be-named album to drop, soulful musician Hall eagerly anticipates the two-night jam (December 30–31).
A lifelong musician, powerful singer and keyboardist, Hall took to the piano at four-years old; he never learned to read music however—he just played. “I never had any training, I just kinda did it. I played at school and even passed high-school jazz class.” Fortunately, when his teacher, Mrs. Stall, would hand out sheet music, nine times out of ten Nigel had the song at home in his parent’s rich record collection—to which he was given full-reign, with the caveat that messing up the records resulted in death! He listened to the song, learned it by ear, and then played it in class. “Until I graduated, she never knew I was playing without reading sheet music.” Even now, Nigel relies on his musical photographic memory.
Hall first met Soulive in 2007, when musician Ryan Zoidis saw the budding talent performing at a “nothing gig” in Hall’s home town of Portland, Maine. Now, less than three years later, Nigel regularly tours and collaborates with the funky crew, feats that continue to amaze him and have yet to dilute his contagious enthusiasm. Nigel’s own upcoming album is influenced by his Royal Family crew, and inspired by hero George Duke’s early 70s-era music. According to Hall, that’s when “it felt like he was the most free to do whatever, make whatever sound he wanted to make. That’s how you make an album that stands forever. That’s the album I ultimately want to do, and it’s as real as I can be, but I also considered the taste of the fans. I actually have fans, I never thought I’d have fans!”
Thankful for that, Nigel makes sure that wherever he’s playing, he’s “killing the show.” “We’re really just vibing. As cliché as it sounds, when we’re all on stage together it’s a full on rage.” Just remember to rage responsibly!
UPDATE: As of the interview, Nigel Hall, with Eric Krasno and Adam Deitch, was nominated for a Grammy, for collaborations on Ledisi’s 2009 R&B album, Turn Me Loose.
The concert will take place at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. For more information, please visit http://www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com/.