La Cantera hosts…Roy McGrath

Roy McGrath is a tenor saxophonist, composer, bandleader and sideman living in Chicago, IL. He recently graduated with a master’s degree in Music from Northwestern University, where he studied under Victor Goines (saxophonist for Jazz at Lincoln Center and Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University). He transcribes, arranges, and composes music for a variety of situations, and currently works as the Woodwind/Brasswind instructor at Flatt’s and Shape Musical Academy in Chicago.

In addition to his studies, Roy has gained valuable performance experience in a variety of settings. In 2009, he joined the Camp-of-the-Woods wind ensemble playing Broadway, big band, contemporary jazz, classical, and worship music in Speculator, NY. He performed with this ensemble for four years, including serving as the Director of Jazz Small Ensembles and Big Band for two years. He has taught masterclasses on improvisation in Mexico and at the Universidad del Turabo in Puerto Rico; and worked for Suman Entertainment as a tenor saxophonist and doubler on alto/clarinet/flute on cruise ships in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Roy has played on numerous recordings, both as sideman and band leader. He recorded on Easy Company’s self-titled album in 2009, produced by five-time Grammy winner John Snyder and five-time Grammy winning recording engineer David Farrell. In 2010, he recorded an album as leader entitled Long Shot. In 2013 he played on Gustavo Cortinas’ album Snapshot, and toured Mexico in support. He has been recognized in competitions, and placed third in the Union League Civic Arts Foundation Jazz Improvisation Competition in 2013 (Chicago, IL).