Connor Derraugh

About

Connor recently completed a Jazz Performance degree at the University of Manitoba with a double major in sax and piano. Although his roots are grounded in jazz, Connor embraces many musical styles and like his hero David Sanborn, is passionate about infusing rock, pop, blues, funk and R&B songs with creative arrangements and melodic improvisations.

Connor has been blessed to study with such amazing mentors as Janice Finlay, Walle Larsson, Craig Bailey (Ray Charles Band) and Jon Gordon on saxophone - as well as Glory St. Germain, Nancy Nowosad, Dave Restivo and Will Bonness on piano.

Connor has performed at various local events including the Downtown Concert Series, the Rady JCC Sports Dinner and Asper Jazz Series. Connor headlined shows at the Jazz in the Leo Mol Garden Series in 2015 and 2016 as well as Arts Accessibility Network Manitoba’s 2017 shows at the Good Will Social Club and Lyric Theatre. In 2018, Connor and his band 'Ability' were featured at the Winnipeg Jazz Festival and Connor returned to the festival for a performance with vocalist Elizabeth Sadler in 2019.

In 2017, Connor flew to New York City to record sax and piano parts for the soundtrack to, 'Best Summer Ever' - a film that features actors with diverse abilities, set to premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival.

In demand as an accompanist, Connor also lent his keyboard skills to the 2018 theatre productions of 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' and 'In The Heights.'

A writer and arranger as well as a performer, Connor looks forward to recording his first solo project in the near future.