Troy Roberts

The JazzLab - Melbourne

24 Oct

Written By Oh! Jazz

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. “Nu–Jive 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