Khris Royal

In high school, Khris’ musical talents were nurtured at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) in classrooms that had once seated jazz greats such as Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Terrence Blanchard, and Donald Harrison. While attending NOCCA, Khris also developed a closer bond with long-time mentor Alvin Batiste, a clarinetist who also taught known musicians Randy Jackson, Henry Butler, and Maurice Brown.
At sixteen, Khris was granted a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Soon after, Khris became a founding member of the band, The Usual Suspecks, which was well known for their Sunday and Wednesday night gigs at Boston’s legendary Wally’s Jazz Cafe.

In 2007, the twenty year old musician left Boston to pursue an opportunity to collaborate with the Regiment, a Los Angeles-based horn section that played and or Recorded with Bobby Brown, Mary J. Blige, Ashanti, Nelly and The Game  in addition to performing on tour with Fantasia Barrino.

To date, Khris has played and recorded with Erykah Badu, Goapele, Bobby Brown, Ashanti, Nelly, Alvin Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, Clyde Kerr Jr., Maurice Brown, Herlin Riley, Delfeayo Marsalis, D.J. Quick, Tony Clifton, The Sam Kininger Band, and Mary J. Blige, and is also featured with the Regiment on Season 2 of The Boondocks.  Khris is currently the Musical Director for Hanif-Jamiyl and is preparing for the 2009 Wine and Soul National Tour