Connor Derraugh

About

Connor holds a Jazz Performance degree from 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 and crew with diverse abilities.

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.'

2020 saw Connor featured in livestream performances benefitting the Manitoba Brain Injury and Canadian Diabetes Assocations. Connor also raised over $2,000.00 for local charities with a series of outdoor driveway concerts.

In 2021 Connor and his trio were filmed for livestream concerts in CCFM's Mardi Jazz series and the Rady JCC's Music and Mavens series.

A writer and arranger as well as a performer, Connor is currently working on his first solo project which he hopes to release in the coming year.