The Courtyard Kings were founded in March 2005. Violinist, Michael Harvey, and guitarist, Carl Keith, rapidly formed a vision for the band and developed a repertoire. Their sound is based primarily on original arrangements of jazz standards, combining elements of gypsy jazz, Brazilian jazz, New Orleans traditional jazz, bebop, classical music, and rock'n'roll. The band has developed a style that is both fresh and modern, while paying homage to the great tradition of jazz music from New Orleans.

When recording their 2008 self-titled debut, they added bassist Greg Smith, forming a trio. They premiered a quartet lineup at their weekly gig at Bacchanal, adding Mark Weliky on guitar and Thomas Pol, a young Dutch bass player. Both are featured on many of the tracks on 'Douces Wild.' Michael met Thomas at the University of New Orleans, while becoming the first jazz violinist to graduate the jazz studies program with a Master of Music. When Thomas returned to Rotterdam, the band enlisted Nathan Lambertson to play bass, who is featured on the remaining tracks on the new album. Michael, Greg, Mark and Nathan are all UNO Jazz Studies alumni.

Michael and Carl continue to perform two weekly gigs as a duo, while the trio and quartet arrangements of The Courtyard Kings keep busy with numerous club dates and private parties in New Orleans and elsewhere.



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