B.C’s Roy Styffe Quintet
April 7 & 8 @ 8:30 PM

Roy Styffe - Saxophone
Kevin Turcotte - Trumpet
Brian Dickinson - Piano
Pat Collins - Bass
Barry Elmes - Drums

Regarded by many as one of the finest improvisers in Canada. Multi-instrumentalist (saxophone/clarinet/flute) Roy Styffe has been wowing audiences for over 30 years. He has played with the greatest names in Canadian jazz and continues to push the envelope of excellence in the world of improvisation.

Based in Victoria B.C. Roy currently works for the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy. The Naden Band tours the world and performs and records frequently.

Roy has a bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Humber College in Toronto, Canada. He has also studied at the Banff School under Dave Holland, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Ed Blackwell, John Abercrombie and Don Thompson. In 1992 Roy was awarded a Canada Council grant to study in New York with Dick Oatts from the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Big Band, and the great saxophonist David Liebman.

As well as studying music, Roy has been active as a leader, performer and composer for the past twenty five years. Some notable highlights have been performing with Ed Bickert, Kenny Wheeler, Daniel Lapp, Tony Genge, Pat Collins, John McLeod, Neil Swainson, Phil Dwyer, Pat LaBarbara, Phil Woods, Renee Rosnes, Hal McKusick and touring with Don Thompson’s Banff Alumni Jazz Ensemble.  In 1986 Roy played with The Temptations for Expo ’86, and in 1988 he played with Rob McConnell in his big band at the Calgary Winter Olympics.

Roy has recorded two cd’s under his own leadership, and has recorded with Duncan Hopkins, Free Flight Big Band, and the Juno award winning NOJO Big Band. Roy is currently recording his 3rd CD, Stories within Stories with his band including Bill Coon (guitar), Ken Lister (bass) and Buff Allen (drums).

Roy has also been collaborating with the Kelby McNayr Quintet, Tony Genge ensemble, the Kevin Elaschuk group based in Vancouver.