Gregory Charles Royal has been played on NTS over 10 times, featured on 13 episodes and was first played on 20 September 2015.

Art Blakey protege Gregory Charles Royal (born October 10, 1961 in Greensboro, North Carolina) is an American musician, composer, author, and a judge on America's Hot Musician.

Prior to becoming a judge on America's Hot Musician, Royal, a jazz trombonist, enjoyed a long career with many top bands and shows. They include the Duke Ellington Orchestra (1989–1999), Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Slide Hampton and his World of Trombones and as onstage trombonist with the Broadway show Five Guys Named Moe (nominated for two Tony Awards) and Jelly's Last Jam.

Royal also authored and acted in It's a Hardbop Life, the first play to feature an entire cast of jazz musicians, which debuted at the 2004 New York JVC Jazz Festival at the Producers Club Royal Theatre.

Royal has done major tours in Japan, Europe, Africa and China.