Roy Patterson

Canadian guitarist, composer, and educator Roy Patterson, born March 20, 1953, in South Alton, Nova Scotia, is widely recognized for his evocative style and a musical approach where melody remains the core focus. His playing has been described by The Globe and Mail as having a "purpose and a place" for every note, while The Toronto Star has praised him as a "perfectionist with a big, round and dominating sound." Patterson's journey began in rock bands at age 16 before he pursued formal studies at York University in Toronto and McGill University in Montreal. Since his first recording in 1989, Patterson has built an extensive body of original work documented on several CDs released through 2014. A significant milestone in his career occurred in 1996/1997 when the Roy Patterson Quartet won the prestigious Prix de Jazz at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, marking the first time a Toronto-based band received this honor. His international career has taken him across Canada, the USA, and Europe, including performances in Finland, Italy, and Istanbul. In 2002, he was a featured performer in Rochester, New York, collaborating with legendary musicians such as Jon Faddis, Keeter Betts, Jay Leonhart, Akira Tana, and Fred Wesley. As a respected educator, Patterson taught in the jazz program at the University of Toronto for over a decade and has been a faculty member at York University since 2003. For over twenty years, he was a regular contributor to the US publication "Just Jazz Guitar" and is profiled in Scott Yanow's definitive book, "The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide." Currently on research leave from York University, Patterson is based in Taiwan for an extended period, where he is performing with local jazz musicians and completing his upcoming book, "Harmony for Jazz Guitar."