JuJu would like to wish Khris Royal a very happy birthday! Just 25, Khris, a NOLA-born-and-raised multi-instrumentalist who specializes in saxophone and EWI (electronic wind instrument), is already a veteran of the New Orleans music scene—having shared a stage with legends from George Porter, Jr., to Herlin Riley, David Torkanowsky, and Trombone Shorty. His band Dark Matter, which has been described as alternative funk, space funk, jazz fusion, and just plain amazing, includes guitarist Danny Abel (also of Gravity A, Pat Casey and the New Sound, and more), drummer Terrence Houston (also of George Porter, Jr. and Runnin’ Pardners), fellow NOCCA grad Kyle Roussel on keys and DJ Raymond on bass.

The band just released their first album, and JuJu was at their Blue Nile CD release party to help celebrate. Following a smoldering opening set by HyperSoul label-mate Mia Borders, Royal and company once again floored the audience with a killer set that featured a guest appearance by Big Sam Williams of Big Sam’s Funky Nation. Photos by Kate Monson, exclusively for JuJu Association.

If you missed the show, you can get a free download off the new record now at KhrisRoyal.com, hear more tracks via HyperSoul on Soundcloud, and ‘like’ Khris on Facebook to hear about upcoming gigs. Khris will be celebrating his birthday on Thursday, 10/20, with a show at Irvin Mayfield’s I Club.