Born: April 20, 1986 Primary Instrument: Sax, tenor
New York City based Musician and Composer Roxy Coss has performed around the world in places such as Germany and Paris, and festivals including the North Sea, Vienne, and Montreux Jazz Festivals in Europe, IAJE in Toronto, and the JVC - New York Jazz Festival. Roxy has also appeared on the Today Show Live, at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, and at the world famous Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City.
Originally from Seattle, WA, Roxy began winning awards for her composition at the age of 9. She went on to receive numerous soloist awards at various jazz festivals, including Outstanding Saxophone Soloist at the prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition, while playing first Tenor chair in the acclaimed Garfield High School Jazz Band.
Roxy accepted a full Presidential Scholarship to attend William Paterson University in NJ, where she had the opportunity to study with Clark Terry, Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern, Gary Smulyan, Rich Perry, Rich DeRosa, Steve LaSpina, Bill Goodwin, and Bill Mobley among others. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies/Perforamance.
Since moving to New York, Roxy has had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Clark Terry, Claudio Roditi, and Grassella Oliphant. Currently, she is a member of Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Roxy also leads her own groups, playing at such venues as Smalls and Cecil's Jazz Club. She appeared twice in the 2010 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, WA; once as a featured guest with the Garfield High School Big Band at the Triple Door, and once with her own Quartet at Tula's, which was recorded for Jim Wilke's Jazz Northwest radio show on KPLU. Roxy was also chosen for this year's Jazz Ahead Residency Program at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the Steans Institute's Young Artist Program for Jazz at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago.
”Good player with a robust tone that catches the listener off guard” - Jim Wilke, Jazz After Hours on Public Radio International (PRI)
”An instant classic for oldbies and newbies alike.” - Eric Saeger, Skope Magazine
”[Coss plays with an] unassuming clarity and wise restraint of an oldtimer withnothing to prove.” - David Wilson, Wilson & Alroy Reviews
Primary Instrument:
Sax, tenor
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Roxy has taught private music lessons in many categories, for
over ten years. She has also run saxophone sectionals, small
ensembles, and big bands. She is the founder and director of
an annual Summer Improvisation Workshop at Washington
Middle School, which now includes three levels of classes,
including musicians of all instruments. She was also the
special guest artist-in-residence at the Rainier Valley Youth
Theater Camp in Seattle, where she taught African-American
music and its history, and acted as the musical director of the
Middle School Production of A Midsummer Night's Daydream.
Roxy is now available to teach private lessons during the week
in the greater New York area. Contact her for more
information.
