Tonight, where's the jazz?
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Roy Patterson is a distinguished Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and educator whose career spans over four decades. Born in South Alton, Nova Scotia, Patterson began his musical journey in rock bands at age 16 before moving to Toronto in the late 1970s. Since then, he has become a central figure in the Canadian jazz scene, performing with elite artists such as Don Thompson, Terry Clarke, Doug Riley, Pat LaBarbera, and the Bob Mover Quartet. His playing is characterized by a "big, round and dominating sound" (The Toronto Star) and a melodic approach where "every note seems to have a purpose and a place" (The Globe and Mail). In 1996, the Roy Patterson Quartet made history as the first Toronto-based band to win the Prix de Jazz at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. This prestigious award led to national exposure and international tours, taking his music to Finland, Istanbul, Italy, Taiwan, and the United States. Patterson's accolades also include being named Guitarist of the Year (2000) by Jazz Report magazine and being profiled in Scott Yanow’s book, "The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide." His discography as a leader includes: "The Release" (1989), "The Acadiana Suite" (1993), "The Coming of Angels" (1995), "Inland Passages" (1997), "On a Cloud" (2000), "Live at Zooma Zooma" (2008), "Uwattibi" (2012, with Maria Farinha), and "Songs From My Father’s House" (2014). The latter reflects his evolving interest in blending jazz with Americana, drawing on the rural sounds of his youth in Nova Scotia. His current projects include the Roy Patterson String Band, which offers a modern interpretation of mid-century rural music with noir undertones. As an educator, Patterson holds a Master of Music degree and serves as an adjunct faculty member at York University. He has previously taught at the University of Toronto, McGill University, and various international workshops. He is also the founder and director of the Toronto Jazz Composers Collective.
