Jazz Midterm Paper.docx

McClutchy 1 Courteney McClutchy Supplemental Jazz IV Midterm Research Paper

Troy Roberts Upcoming, contemporary artists always grasp my attention, especially when they have received their education at such a young age and Troy Roberts obtaining his Bachelor of Music at 19 years old is incredible to me. As a well-known saxophonist and composer, growing up from a place no one has heard of, Perth, West Australia, he certainly used all the passion and love he had for his music because he has appeared all over the world performing his art and now resides in New York City. After noticing he went to The University of Miami for his Master’s Degree I was intrigued being that I am also from Florida, it is just so magnificent to me that an artist so young is presently working with and very respected among jazz peers with major names in the business. As far as inspiration is concerned, I chose Troy because of how he inspires me as an artist. In general, this business tends to diminish younger artists because they don’t have the experience that many seasoned artists have, but I think what made Troy so well liked so quickly was his fresh, new approach to the Jazz genre. JazzTime Magazine even states “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.” Taking a look into my work in the future, that confidence

in his art that he has is exactly what I need to carry into the city to be able to make it in the crazy business that Musical Theatre is. The particular piece of music I have chosen to do this project on is one of Roberts popular volumes. He is playing a duet with Tivon Pennicott called Bernie’s Tune, Volume 2, E2. I think what struck me most about initially choosing this song was the fact that both men were so present and in their element, not particularly planning their next note but taking it off what the other played before and just having fun with it. This is something I want to take with me while approaching my own choreographing and whilst learning others choreography. This has also been a goal of mine this year, I tend to take dance in a very serious matter which intern has me looking stiff and like I’m not enjoying myself and you can see that all over my face since I am so concentrated. Whereas if I take the time to approach what I’m learning with excitement and a little bit of grace, I look that much better to watch and like I actually know what I’m doing. In addition I think there is something in the not-knowing, both instrumentalists go ahead and take a deep breath and breathe out into their sax and allow whatever it is that is meant to come out, come out and that is the sense of ease I desire for my dancing. The creativity Troy applies to his music and art as a whole is something I found myself relating too, as he doesn’t seemed phased by where he works or who he works with, as long as both parties are passionate and willing to create equally, he is all in. All in all, the freeing excitement of his music inspired me to want to make create with it and knowing that where he started and has now

ended up, allows me to see the greatness I could achieve in my own future.

Works Cited Capsulocity. “VOL. 2;E2 - Tivon Pennicott + Troy Roberts ‘Bernie's Tune’ (Saxophone).” YouTube, YouTube, 31 Jan. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9igEgZjEDMY. “Troy Roberts | Saxophonist & Composer.” Two-Time Grammy Nominated Australian Saxophonist and Composer Troy Roberts Is Based in New York City, Maintaining a Busy Performance and Recording Schedule around the Globe with Some of the Greatest Jazz Artists of Today. He's a Regular Member of The Jeff 'Tain' Watts Quartet, Joey DeFrancesco's New Quartet, 'The People', and Is Currently Celebrating His 8th Record as a Leader, 'Nu-Jive Perspective'., troyroberts.com/about-2/.