31 March 2026
We’re proud to present in collaboration with Adelaide University, three-time GRAMMY-nominated* saxophonist Troy Roberts in a very special performance at UKARIA Cultural Centre this May.
Based in New York City, Troy Roberts is a leading voice in contemporary jazz, with sixteen acclaimed releases and an international career spanning Europe and the United States. Fresh from his latest album Green Lights, he will bring a dynamic program of original music and jazz classics to South Australia, performing alongside exceptional graduating musicians and esteemed staff from Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts.
A graduate of Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Troy has performed with some of the most respected names in jazz and beyond, including Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Joey DeFrancesco, James Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Christian McBride and Kurt Elling. He also completed a Master of Music at the University of Miami in 2007.philia Records.
“He’s not reaching out into the wilderness and grabbing something brand new, as most specialists in jazz improvisation. Instead, he’s going back and finding out what no one else noticed on the first pass. His melodies and themes aren’t alien to jazz fans, but they always seem like they’re being approached from a different direction. This sounds like great jazz from the past, but it also suggests new directions with every note.”
The Vinyl Anachronist
As a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist, Troy has received numerous accolades, including three DownBeat SM Jazz Soloist Awards, three GRAMMY nominations, and recognition as a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.
Our flagship event, An Afternoon of Jazz, is both a concert and awards presentation, an opportunity for us to celebrate and support the next generation of jazz artists. This year, we’ll award $37,000 in prizes to outstanding graduating musicians from Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts, helping them take the next step in their professional careers. In the lead-up to the performance, we’re also partnering with Adelaide University to deliver a week of workshops and masterclasses with Troy for current students and recent graduates. These sessions will include ensemble workshops, creative development, and an OPEN MASTERCLASS for high school students and the wider community, offering rare insight into his artistry and approach.
As our CEO Jane MacFarlane explains:
“Welcoming Troy Roberts to South Australia is an extraordinary opportunity for our emerging artists. At Helpmann Academy, we’re committed to creating meaningful connections between graduates and internationally acclaimed practitioners. Experiences like this, on stage and in the rehearsal room, are invaluable in shaping the future of their careers.”
Jane MacFarlane, Helpmann Academy CEO
Presented in partnership by Helpmann Academy and Adelaide University, this extraordinary 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.
You can also make an afternoon of it and pre-order a chicken and vegetable pie to enjoy in the UKARIA Garden Terrace prior to the concert. You can collect your pie from the bar from 12:30pm. Gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options are also available. Pre-order HERE.
Don’t miss this exceptional afternoon where brilliance, passion and the future of jazz take centre stage. Tickets for An Afternoon of Jazz are on sale now HERE.
PRESENTING PARTNERS
Presented by Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts and Helpmann Academy.
*Roberts’ three GRAMMY nominations include work with Sammy Figueroa’s The Magician (Best Latin Jazz Album), Joey DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom (Best Instrumental Jazz Album), and Dan Pugach’s Little Fears (Best Jazz Performance).
Image this page: Ben McNicoll Photography
Feature image: Suzanne Kulperger Photography