New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "Roberts is a master of the modern jazz sound, incorporating odd time signatures, extended forms and a vast array of feels, while still maintaining a clear post-bop musical language that places the music firmly in the jazz genre. This ensemble is on fire! Roberts, like Joshua Redman, has a strong command of his instrument, he is versatile, skilled and has a firm grasp of the jazz idiom, enough to masterfully push its limits. Through his various recordings Roberts has exhibited this trait and with Nu-Jive Perspective, he signals the next persuasive recording in his ever growing discography."
-Staccatofy
"Roberts is a boisterous and effusive player, conversant but not busy.
- 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
Roberts fully demonstrates his perfect technique of playing the tenor saxophone. This musician is close to a sharp attack, unexpected twists, and the ability to hear his partners well. A worthy album by a very masterful musician. You can envy those who visit in July the Ukraine at Jazz on the Dnieper, where you can see Troy Roberts personally.
-Jazzzquad
On his new album, "Nu-Jive Perspective," Australian transplant to New York City Troy Roberts and his ensemble plays new jazz in a way that will make listeners think they have heard it before. Except, they haven't. Roberts' compositions are steeped in the traditions of jazz while working in some elements of gospel, soul, funk and r&b. The songs on the album range from 10 minutes long, to less than two minutes long. Song titles on "Nu-Jive Perspective" are often humorous, and the entire recording is rhythm-heavy, head-nod-inducing jazz.
-Lemonwire
"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
Tasty stuff that celebrates the joy of spontaenous combustion
-Midwest Record
Hailing from the remote location of Perth, West Australia, saxophonist Troy Roberts has received numerous accolades including 3 DownBeat Jazz Soloist Awards, 2 Grammy Nominations, and was the only Australian semi-finalist in the 2008 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Graduating with a Bachelor of
Music at the young age of 19, he has performed around
Europe and the US extensively with artists such as
James Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Christian McBride, Sammy Figueroa, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans and
Kurt Elling to name a few, and also completed a Masters Degree at The University of Miami. In 2012, he shared the stage in an international septet comprised of jazz giants Wayne Shorter, Richard Bona, Vinnie Colaiuta and Zakir Hussein for Herbie Hancock's launch of International Jazz Day at The UN, NYC. He was also part of Hancock's 2014 International Jazz Day held in Osaka, Japan performing with jazz luminaries such as Gregory Porter, Marcus Miller, Esperanza Spaulding,
John Scofield and
Dee Dee Bridgewater. Troy is based in New York City and maintains 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 (Inner Circle Music).
Troy Roberts' latest release 'Nu-Jive Perspective' is the convening of five soulful beings who take the listener on a creative journey through the architecture of Troy's original compositions. The music is an eclectic, yet head-bopping concoction of Soul, Funk, R&B and Gospel music, all musically glued together by each member's deep sense of Jazz etiquette. This particular lineup tours as Roberts' 'NU-JIVE' band - an outfit that has captured the attention of many of the jazz luminaries he now works with, and although this is his 8th record as a leader, it is his 3rd album with this configuration of five best friends from around the globe.
Track Names and Times
1) FAME & FOUR TUNE (7:29)
2) PHISH HQ (1:49)
3) SLIDESHOW (7:38)
4) JACK THE SIPPER (7:40)
5) PROFESSOR GHETTO-RIG (5:22)
6) ADAMANT EVE (7:45)
7) AVNI LANE (2:13)
8) THROUGH THE EYES OF PSYCHOVILLE (10:00)
9) BELLE (5:36)
10) VEEPEA-ARE (2:34)
11) TABLE FOR 5 (6:45)
Players and Instruments:
TROY ROBERTS - saxophone
TIM JAGO - guitar
SILVANO MONASTERIOS - keys
ERIC ENGLAND - bass
DAVE CHIVERTON - drums
