Take Five With John Troy

John honed his skills on lead alto saxophone for Concert and Jazz All-County Ensembles, and New York All-State Bands as well. Other honors include being selected for the AMA concert Europe tour and to perform at major events such as the Midwest clinic, NYSBDA and NYSSMA clinics, and also consecutive Louis Armstrong Jazz Awards at the high school level for his jazz ability.

While attending SUNY Fredonia, John played both lead alto and tenor in the Fredonia Jazz Ensemble, an award winning student run big band. He can be heard on a recent 2009 release of the FJE's, Still Kickin'. Here he led his own small groups, Jazz Quintessential, and an organ trio, (the JT Trio), both with significant success.

His summer 2009 session for his debut album, All Ahead Flank, can be heard here, which displays his unique style and commitment to his craft. He continues to be active in the Buffalo and New York City regions, with appearances at the Ellicottville Jazz Festival, Fredonia Jazz workshops, as well as a recent stint in January, at the weekly Buffalo club Bobby McGee's jazz night as the featured front man.

Now based closer to New York City, at SUNY Purchase, John continues to develop his hard bop influenced style. He has performed/studied with the likes of Eric Alexander, Bruce Johnstone, Dave Schiavone, Grant Stewart, Ralph Lalama, Todd Coolman, Tim Armacost, Chris Potter, Tom Harrell, Stacy Dillard, Mike Dubaniewicz, Danny Hull, Mike Kaupa, Clay Jenkins, Hal Galper, Arturo O'Farrill, John Bacon, Pete Malinverni, and Charles Blenzig. As he continues to find his musical way, certainly keep an ear out for this hungry "alto-tenor" warrior.

Instrument(s):

Saxophones.

Teachers and/or influences?

Eric Alexander, Bruce Johnstone, Dave Schiavone, Grant Stewart, Ralph Lalama, Todd Coolman, Tim Armacost, Chris Potter, Tom Harrell, Stacy Dillard, Mike Dubaniewicz, Danny Hull, Mike Kaupa, Clay Jenkins, Hal Galper, Arturo O' Farrell, John Bacon, Pete Malinverni, and Charles Blenzig.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when...

I led my first real jazz group.

Your sound and approach to music:

Retro progressive attitude as far as style back to the hard bop and post-bop days.

Your dream band:

Musicians that are willing to create a group sound, and very intense and precise moods and emotions. A small group with three to five people.

The first Jazz album I bought was:

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?

Carrying the torch of bebop, hard bop, and the "Buffalo" sound.

CDs you are listening to now:

Grant Green.

How would you describe the state of jazz today?

Growing, depends on how much it smells.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?

Education, and incentives as far as awards and scholarships to go to school for it.

What is in the near future?

A summer recording date with my brother (Troy Brothers Quintet).

By Day:

Customer service summer jobs.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:

Pilot.

Photo Credit

Courtesy of John Troy.

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