BIO

Born May 24th, 1977 in Sydney Australia, guitarist Roy Issac had an early interest in music and began playing the guitar from the age of 12. With an early interest in Rock and Blues music of the 60’s and 70’s, some of Roy’s earliest influences include: Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana and Jimi Hendrix. In recent years however, Roy’s passion for Jazz music led him to discover Jazz icons such as: Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel and various highly acclaimed local Sydney Jazz artists.

From 2003 till 2005, Roy led his own Blues and RnB band, performing in various local Sydney and Central Coast Clubs and Hotels. Internationally in Las Vegas 2006, Roy was fortunate to play with the notable Blues Pianist Junior Brantley and his Chicago Blues Band.

In 2008 Roy was awarded a merit based scholarship from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music for the duration of an undergraduate degree and completed a Bachelor degree in Music (Jazz Performance) with first class honours in 2011.

While at the Sydney Conservatorium of music, Roy was fortunate to study with highly acclaimed local musicians such as: Mike Nock, Craig Scott, William Motzing, Dale Barlow, Steve Brien, Carl Dewhurst, David Theak, Dave Panichi and Matt MacMahon. In 2009, Roy undertook studies with internationally renowned New York Jazz guitarists, Peter Bernstein and Sheryl Bailey.

Roy was a member of the Sydney Conservatorium Jazz orchestra from 2008 till 2011, performing at the Wangaratta and Manly Jazz festivals and touring through China in 2010 for performances at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Roy is currently teaching at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Open AcademyNewington College, Cranbrook school and continues to teach privately.

Currently Roy is involved with various music projects and has had the pleasure to work with some of Sydney’s finest Jazz Educators and Musicians.