About

Embracing his love for a vast variety of stylistic genres, two-time GRAMMY nominated saxophonist, Troy Roberts is quickly becoming one of the most widely recorded touring artists of his time. As a go-to first call saxophonist, his name adorns several essential recordings ranging from the legendary Joey DeFrancesco to the iconic Van Morrison to the quintessential Jeff “Tain” Watts, to the tireless Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, to the critically acclaimed Kurt Elling, to the breathtaking Veronica Swift, including numerous other jazz veterans, and newcomers considered taste-makers of their generation.

Roberts – an Australian-born, now long-time New York resident – is also a prolific leader with fifteen releases to his name. Currently celebrating his latest, NU-JIVE: LIVE at the Perth International Jazz Festival (Toy Robot Music), Roberts maintains a busy recording and performance schedule with some of the greatest artists of today.

 

Troy Roberts continues to be a master of styles and configurations with this eminently accessible, sonically and rhythmically engaging session, emitting steam and sumptuous harmonic colors along the way. – Glide Magazine

 

 ‘Nu-Jive: Nations United’ is another outstanding project by the ever-creative composer and saxophonist Troy Roberts. The bandmates’ long-time chemistry undoubtedly accounts for the stability and respect this ensemble creates together. The ten songs offer various configurations for optimum expression for each member as they ebb and flow through the written and improvised sections of the compositions. The result is a jazz session filled with 3D proportions of interacting and layering to create something unique and meaningful that encompasses the jazz of today and beyond. – Steven Miller, Sound In Review

Roberts, though young in age, certainly has an arsenal of abilities under his belt, and has the makings and foundation of a lasting great saxophonist. Versatile in style, with a strong grasp of yesterday and today, he is a force to be reckoned with no matter the setting. He is more than one to watch, he is one to follow closely. – JazzTimes Magazine

Substance and style will triumph over pretentiousness and ego every time. Roberts has a resume that will certainly make one sit up and take notice having shared the stage with such luminaries as Nicholas Payton, Orrin Evans and John Clayton. “NuJive 5” is Roberts fifth release as a leader and is brimming with vitality and that certain pop of originality that separates the “artist” from the “musician. – Critical Jazz

Roberts is a boisterous and effusive player, conversant but not busy. ‘Secret Rhymes’ has a bounce to it and Roberts excels here as a leader, with an awesomely arranged album with just a touch more arch than one can legally call straight-ahead. – DownBeat Magazine

Whilst it’s not common to display virtuosity, it’s even rarer to be wonderfully creative while doing so. But the rarest of all gifts is to have a unique voice; a sound that is unmistakably your own, Troy Roberts has this gift. He amply demonstrates that it’s possible to pay homage to the great tenor players of jazz and still create a fresh approach that leaves the listener always in anticipation of what he’ll come up with next. James Morrison

While jazz is so strongly identified as swing, it is nice to see the next gen carving out their sound and ideas. Roberts, along with his well-equipped ensemble, is certainly up to the task – creating a jazz record that employs great playing and abundant ideas. Roberts, though young in age, certainly has an arsenal of abilities under his belt, and has the makings and foundation of a lasting great saxophonist. Versatile in style, with a strong grasp of yesterday and today, he is a force to be reckoned with no matter the setting. He is more than one to watch, he is one to follow closely.JazzTimes Magazine

 

  • Grammy Nominations for performances on Sammy Figueroa’s The Magician, Joey DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom.

 

  • Performances on Grammy Nominated albums by Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band: Presence (which includes an original composition by Roberts) and The Intangible Between, The Terraza Big Band (One Day Wonder – title track is an original composition by Roberts) and Joey DeFrancesco (In The Key of The Universe – with Pharoah Sanders, Billy Hart, and heavily features Roberts on saxophones and acoustic bass).

 

  • Winner of the 2001 James Morrison Jazz Scholarship, Semifinalist in 2008 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, 2nd place winner in 2016 Wangaratta International Saxophone Competition.

 

  • Exclusive artist endorsement by Vandoren.

 

 

  • 2022 – California State University, Fullerton – Artist in Residence
                 The University of Auckland – Artist in Residence
                 Slippery Rock University – Artist in Residence
  • 2021 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – Full time Lecturer
  • 2020 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – Full time Lecturer
  • 2019 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – Artist in Residence
  • 2018 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – Artist in Residence

University of The Arts, Philadelphia – Visiting Artist

Slippery Rock University – Artist in Residence

Berry College – Artist in Residence

New World School of The Arts – Artist in Residence

  • 2016 – The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music – jazz saxophone

The James Morrison Academy of Music – Artist in Residence

  • 2015 – The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music – jazz saxophone

The University of Arizona – Artist In Residence

Berry College – Artist In Residence

  • 2014 – The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music – jazz saxophone
  • 2012 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone,

ensemble director

  • 2011 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone,

ensemble director

  • 2010 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone

New World School of The Arts – Artist in Residence

  • 2009 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – jazz saxophone,

ensemble director.

The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone

  • 2008 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – jazz saxophone,

ensemble director

  • 2007 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone,

freshman ear-training, ensemble director, freshman improv.

  • 2006 – The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone,

freshman ear-training, ensemble director, freshman improv.

  • 2005 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – jazz saxophone

Wesley College – saxophone

The University of Miami FROST School of Music – jazz saxophone

  • 2004 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – jazz saxophone
  • 2003 – West Australian Academy of Performing Arts – jazz saxophone

 

 

Troy Roberts plays;

Vandoren products exclusively 
 
TENOR:
Silver Plated 1951 Selmer Super Balanced Action
Silver Plated 2023 JL Woodwinds Artist Series
Nickel Plated 1932 Conn Chu Berry Transitional
Vandoren V16 T7 mouthpiece, V16 3.5 reeds, M/O ligature
JL Woodwinds Custom Carbon Fiber case
SJQ Carbon Fiber case
 
SOPRANO:
Inderbinen Hand Hammered Raw Brass
Vandoren V16 S6 mouthpiece, V16 3 reeds, M/O ligature
Manning Custom Carbon Fiber tenor/soprano combo case
 
ALTO:
Silver Plated 1932 Conn Art Deco Transitional
Vandoren V16 A6 S+ mouthpiece, V16 3 reeds, M/O ligature
JL Woodwinds Custom Carbon Fiber alto case
 
Neck Strap: Jazzlab SAXHOLDER
 
other horns:
Yamaha YTS-21 Tenor Saxophone (click HERE to hear)
Inderbinen Hand Hammered Raw Brass Tenor Saxophone. (click HERE to hear) SOLD