Troy Sawyer

In the heart of New Orleans, where the rhythm of jazz pulses through the streets, Troy Sawyer stands as a modern-day keeper of its soul. A Grammy Recording Academy member, award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator, Troy embodies the power of music to connect generations and communities.

Music runs deep in his lineage: his great-grandfather, Louis D. James, co-wrote songs with jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden, and his cousin Leon Bridges continues the family’s legacy. Troy honors that history while pushing jazz into new terrain, sharing stages with icons like Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Lalah Hathaway, Rockin Dopsie Jr., and Harry Connick Jr.

As leader of Troy Sawyer & The Elementz, he blends funk, rock, soul, jazz, and Latin influences into a vibrant sound that electrifies audiences. Their debut album, Rock Your Soul, made waves in the New Orleans music scene and established Troy as a bold, innovative voice.

Beyond the stage, Troy is the founder of Girls Play Trumpets Too (GPTT), a nonprofit empowering young girls to break barriers in music. His work earned national recognition on The Kelly Clarkson Show alongside Justin Timberlake, and he was recently featured on CBS Mornings.

A U.S. Embassy Speaker Program artist, Emerging Artist of the Year (New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund), and Millennial Award honoree (OffBeat Magazine), Troy is not just a musician—he’s a catalyst for change, carrying New Orleans’ musical legacy into a future where the music keeps evolving and inspiring worldwide.