Troy Roberts

Biography

Troy Roberts, a three-time GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist and composer from Perth, Western Australia, began his musical journey as a boy after attending a concert where he mistook a saxophone for a trumpet. Starting alto saxophone lessons at age 12, he entered the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) as an exceptional early entrant at age 15, graduating with a Bachelor of Music at 19. He won the 2001 James Morrison Jazz Scholarship, became the only Australian semifinalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition, and earned three consecutive DownBeat Jazz Soloist Awards, two West Australian Music Industry Awards, and a Grammy nomination for his work on Sammy Figueroa's 'The Magician'.

After early tours and performances with artists like James Morrison, John Pisano, and Frank Foster, Roberts pursued a Master's degree at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, later joining its faculty from 2006-2012 as jazz saxophone instructor, ensemble director, and more. Relocating to New York, he became a prolific sideman, recording and touring with jazz luminaries including Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Orrin Evans' Captain Black Big Band, Kurt Elling, Veronica Swift, Christian McBride, Sammy Figueroa, Dave Douglas, and Aretha Franklin. In 2012, he performed in Herbie Hancock's International Jazz Day septet with Wayne Shorter, Richard Bona, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Zakir Hussein at the UN in NYC. His style embraces jazz fusion and diverse genres, with 15 albums as a leader on his Toy Robot Music label, including live recordings like 'NU JIVE' at the Perth International Jazz Festival.

Now based in New York, Roberts serves as Artist in Residence at institutions like The New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music (2014-2015), James Morrison Academy of Music, University of Arizona, and Berry College. An exclusive Vandoren endorser, he remains one of the most recorded touring saxophonists, emphasizing friendship in his bands and collaborations.

Fun Facts

• As a boy, Roberts saw a saxophone at a concert, mistook it for a trumpet, rejected a trumpet gift from his parents, and insisted on 'the big twisty one'—starting alto sax at age 12.
• He entered WAAPA at age 15 as an exceptional early entrant and graduated with a Bachelor of Music at 19.
• In 2012, he performed at the UN for Herbie Hancock's International Jazz Day launch in a septet with Wayne Shorter, Richard Bona, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Zakir Hussein.
• Joey DeFrancesco once shared that Roberts played on a horn previously owned by Stanley Turrentine, confirmed via Creed Taylor.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• James Morrison - Early mentor and scholarship provider; frequent early tour partner (Tours in Europe (2006), James Morrison Jazz Scholarship (2001)) [1999-2006]

Key Collaborators

• Joey DeFrancesco - Sideman in The People band; high-profile recording and touring (The People albums; shared Stanley Turrentine horn story) [2010s]
• VOID band members (Tom O’Halloran, Dane Alderson, Andrew Fisenden) - Childhood friends; formed band before US move (VOID self-titled album; tours in US) [Early 2000s]
• Jeff “Tain” Watts - Frequent sideman recordings and tours (Multiple essential recordings) [2010s]
• Van Morrison - High-profile sideman work in New York (Recordings and performances) [2010s]
• Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band - Sideman in big band (Captain Black Big Band recordings) [2010s]

External Links

• Spotify