Jazz history
Los Angeles Times documents Royal's Oklahoma origin, early reeds training, work with Les Hite and Lionel Hampton, and two decades as Count Basie's lead alto, music director, and section leader. All About Jazz and AllMusic corroborate his Oklahoma family origin, instruments, and Basie career.
High: independent sources identify Royal as born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma; the Hall catalog spelling differs from the common Marshal Royal form.
The Hall catalog lists Marshall Royal as Lead Alto Saxophonist inducted in 1995.