Troy Roberts in Concert: An Afternoon of Jazz

Join us at the beautiful UKARIA Cultural Centre for an unforgettable afternoon of jazz with three-time GRAMMY nominated* saxophonist, Troy Roberts, joined on stage by top graduating jazz musicians and staff from Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honours from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) at the young age of 19, Roberts has performed in Europe and the US extensively with artists such as Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Joey DeFrancesco, James Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Christian McBride, Sammy Figueroa, Billy Hart, Dave Douglas, Orrin Evans and Kurt Elling to name a few, and also completed a Masters of Music at University of Miami, USA (2007).

“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 Roberts has received numerous accolades including three DownBeat SM Jazz Soloist Awards, three GRAMMY Nominations*, and was a 2008 semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition.

“Roberts’ music seems to have been crafted by a superior musical intellect with a grasp of history and context as well as a sense of time and place, and – above all a sense of poetry, the ability of a storyteller and a wonderful sense of timing.” Raul DaGama

Based in New York City, Roberts is also a prolific jazz leader with sixteen releases to his name. Currently celebrating his latest album, Green Lights (featuring John Patitucci – acoustic bass, Paul Bollenback – guitar, and Jimmy Macbride – drums), Roberts maintains a busy recording and performance schedule with this quartet and original project Nu- Jive – as well as with some of the greatest contemporary artists.

LISTEN TO TROY ROBERTS HERE

As an educator, Roberts has presented numerous masterclasses at prestigious colleges, conservatoriums and universities around the world. Last year Roberts was an Artist in Residence at University of Central Arkansas, SUNY Fredonia, West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and University of Arizona in Tucson.

Troy Roberts will be performing in one afternoon concert at the iconic UKARIA Cultural Centre in Mount Barker Summit.

PRESENTING PARTNERS
Adelaide University, Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts
Helpmann Academy

AWARD PARTNERS & DONORS
K&S Langley Family
Dr Rob Lyons
Lang Family Foundation
Rod & Christine Cornish
DankPods
Jackie Charles
Adelaide International Jazz Festival

With special thanks to David McKee AO & Pam McKee

ABOUT AN AFTERNOON OF JAZZ
An Afternoon of Jazz (previously A Night of Jazz) is Helpmann Academy’s annual Jazz Awards event and concert that honours outstanding musicians from the Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts. In 2026, Helpmann is thrilled to welcome Troy Roberts to Adelaide to perform with the top graduating jazz musicians and staff.

Past guest artists include Linda Mah Han Oh, Jazzmeia Horn, Vince Jones, Harry James Angus, Paul Grabowsky, The Hot Sardines, Marquis Hill and Kate Ceberano. This event includes the presentation of the annual Helpmann Academy Jazz Awards.

ABOUT HELPMANN ACADEMY
The only organisation of its kind in Australia, Helpmann Academy empowers South Australia’s most promising emerging creatives to achieve their visions and build sustainable practices. Helpmann provides professional development opportunities including grants, awards, fellowships, mentorships, masterclasses, workshops, and artist residencies, tailored to South Australia’s tertiary education graduates and emerging artists. Helpmann Academy is a unique collaborative partnership, unifying the skills and resources of the state’s universities.

TROY ROBERTS IN CONCERT: AN AFTERNOON OF JAZZ
Date: Saturday 16 May 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm (includes Jazz Award ceremony)
Doors open: 1:30pm
Venue: UKARIA Cultural Centre, 119 Williams Road, Mount Barker Summit
Parking: Available on site

TICKETS
Student Tickets: $50 + booking fee
General Admission: $80 + booking fee

LIGHT LUNCH
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 LUNCH HERE

PRESENTING PARTNERS
Presented by Adelaide University’s Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts and Helpmann Academy.

Photographs and/or video will be taken at this event for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be photographed please inform the photographer or a Helpmann staff member.

Photo credit: Suzanne Kulperger Photography

*Three GRAMMY Nominations for Sammy Figueroa’s The Magician (Best Latin Jazz Album), Joey DeFrancesco’s Project Freedom (Best Instrumental Jazz Album), Dan Pugach’s Little Fears – featuring Nicole Zuraitis & Troy Roberts (Best Jazz Performance).