New York-based jazz powerhouse brings world-class sax to South Australia
Three-time GRAMMY-nominated jazz musician Troy Roberts will entertain and educate audiences this May.
A three-time GRAMMY-nominated force in contemporary jazz is heading to the Adelaide Hills this May, as Troy Roberts takes to the stage at UKARIA Cultural Centre for a one-off performance that blends global pedigree with local rising talent.
Now based in New York City, Roberts has built an international reputation as a prolific bandleader and composer, with 16 releases to his name. Fresh from his latest album Green Lights, he will present a program that moves between new material and jazz standards, backed by a cross-generational ensemble featuring standout graduates and staff from Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts
The concert forms the centrepiece of An Afternoon of Jazz, the flagship annual showcase from Helpmann Academy, which celebrates the next wave of jazz musicians alongside an internationally recognised headliner. More than $35,000 in awards will be presented to top graduating students, offering critical support as they transition into professional careers – a tangible investment in the state’s cultural future.
Roberts’ credentials stretch well beyond the studio. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, he completed a Bachelor of Music with Honours at just 19 before undertaking a Master of Music at the University of Miami.
His career has since seen him perform across Europe and the US with an impressive roster of artists, including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Joey DeFrancesco, James Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Christian McBride, Billy Hart, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans and Kurt Ellinge – a body of work that places him firmly among the most respected Australian jazz exports on the global stage.
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As a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, he has received numerous accolades, including three DownBeat SM Jazz Soloist Awards and three GRAMMY nominations, and was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. Yet it is his musical sensibility as much as his technical mastery that continues to draw critical acclaim.
One reviewer described his approach as both rooted and exploratory, noting that rather than chasing novelty, Roberts “is going back and finding out what no one else noticed on the first pass”. His compositions and improvisations sit comfortably within the language of jazz while subtly reshaping it – a quality that allows his music to feel at once familiar and quietly progressive. Another critic pointed to his “sense of poetry” and storytelling, underscoring a depth that extends beyond virtuosity.
That duality — tradition and evolution — makes him a fitting figurehead for An Afternoon of Jazz, an event designed not only to showcase excellence but to actively cultivate it. For emerging musicians, the opportunity to share a stage with an artist of Roberts’ calibre is rare; the chance to learn from him directly is rarer still.
In the lead-up to the concert, Roberts will spend a week embedded within Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts, delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses with current students and recent graduates. These sessions will go beyond performance, offering critique, feedback and creative direction to student ensembles, alongside broader discussions on bandleading, collaboration and developing original work.
An open masterclass will also extend the experience beyond the conservatorium, inviting high school students and members of the public a rare opportunity to gain insight into Roberts’ creative process firsthand.
Helpmann Academy CEO Jane MacFarlane said the event highlights the importance of meaningful industry connections.
“Bringing an artist of Troy Roberts’ calibre to South Australia creates a rare and invaluable opportunity for our graduates,” she said. “It’s not only about experiencing world-class performance but about learning, collaboration and inspiration – ensuring the next generation of jazz artists can develop their craft alongside one of the best in the world.”
Presented in partnership by Helpmann Academy and Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts, the event is made possible through the generous support of its 2026 Jazz Award partners and donors, whose commitment helps fuel the career of the next generation of jazz musicians.
Set against the architectural calm of UKARIA, the afternoon also leans into the venue’s distinctive sense of place. Audiences are encouraged to arrive early, take in the surrounding gardens and settle into a slower rhythm ahead of the performance – even pre-ordering a light lunch to enjoy on the terrace before the music begins.
For Adelaide’s jazz community, the event offers more than a headline act. It is a convergence of mentorship, performance and momentum, where established brilliance meets emerging ambition, and where the future of the genre is given both a stage and a springboard.
Don’t miss this exceptional afternoon where brilliance, passion and the future of jazz take centre stage. Tickets are on sale now via Helpmann Academy and UKARIA Cultural Centre.
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