A new jazz and blues duo hit the UD music scene recently.

The Royce and Erik Band is made up of vocalist, guitarist and trumpeter Erik Anderson and tenor saxophonist Royce Files.

One of the band's first big gigs was playing at Relay for Life's Battle of the Bands at KU Pub on March 20.

Battle of the Bands was a night of grooving music and a battle among four bands with the grand prize of opening up for Guster in April.

The Royce and Erik Band was one of four that competed, and the duo stood out with its smooth and relaxing sounds of jazz and blues.

"I love music," Files said. "I spend a third of my day on the saxophone, so I've definitely come to enjoy it."

The musicians find inspiration to make their original music from different artists.

Files said his inspiration on the saxophone comes from such legends as Miles Davis and Johnny Coltrane, but also stems from some other talent like Chris Potter, David Sandboy and Kenny Garrett.

Anderson said his inspiration comes from noted guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn and new age talent John Mayer.

Though The Royce and Erik Band didn't make the cut at the competition, they said it won't stop them from doing what they love -

playing music.

Files' next performance is at the Stander Symposium 2009 Honors Recital Seminar, 1 to 3 p.m. April 16 at Sears Recital Hall.

"I love Guster and it would've been an honor to open for them," Anderson said.