Roy Patterson Quartet
Led by vibraphonist Roy Patterson, the Roy Patterson Quartet is a cornerstone of Canadian jazz. Known for a melodic, evocative style influenced by eastern meditation, the group made history in 1996 as the first Toronto-based band to win the Prix de Jazz at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. With a prolific recording career and international tours spanning Europe and the U.S., Patterson’s lyrical approach continues to resonate across the global jazz scene.
The Roy Patterson Quartet is a Canadian jazz ensemble led by Roy Patterson, whose primary instrument is the vibraphone. Since the release of his first recording in 1989, Patterson has built a body of original work that demonstrates a personal, evocative style with melody at its core, drawn from early musical influences and eastern meditative practices. In 1996, the Roy Patterson Quartet achieved a historic milestone by winning the coveted Prix de Jazz at Montreal’s Festival International de Jazz, becoming the first Toronto-based band ever to win the competition. This victory led to the 1997 release of their fourth CD, 'Inland Passages'. Patterson’s musical style has drawn comparisons to some of the most respected guitarists in North America. His career has taken him to international stages in Finland, Istanbul, Italy, and the U.S.A. In the spring of 2002, he was invited to participate in concerts and workshops for the Commission Project in Rochester, New York, where he performed with esteemed U.S. musicians including John Faddis, Keeter Betts, Jay Leonhart, Akira Tana, and Fred Wesley. Between 1980 and 2000, Patterson released five CDs and conducted several Canadian tours, performing at most major jazz festivals and participating in numerous live and studio sessions for CBC Radio. He has also composed two original soundtracks for radio drama and was the subject of a one-hour television special for Bravo! featuring the Quartet in concert. The group has performed at venues such as Sappho Live Jazz.