"John Royen plays real traditional jazz piano, the kind that takes two hands and a lot of soul." - Butch Thompson
"...a magnificent Preservation Hall pianist...John was a devoted pupil of the late Don Ewell and he shows it." - The San Francisco Examiner
"...in our town (New Orleans)...John Royen holds a unique position...John is our stride guy." - The Second Line (magazine of the New Orleans Jazz Club)
"John Royen is New Orleans' most important living stride piano player." Rob Fontenot, music critic