Connor Derraugh

About

Connor’s in his final year of the University of Manitoba’s Jazz Studies program, completing a double major in saxophone 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 amazing mentors such 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.

In 2017, Connor travelled to New York City to record sax and piano parts for the soundtrack to the upcoming movie, ‘The Homecoming’ - a film that features actors with diverse abilities. 2016 saw Connor lend his piano skills to Caleb Dueck’s debut CD, produced by Michael Falk.

Connor has performed at various local events including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, Rady JCC Sports Dinner and the Asper Jazz Series. Connor and his band have headlined shows the Jazz in the 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 – as part of the Assiniboine Park’s Summer Concert Series.

In 2014, Connor shared the stage with Ray Parker Jr., Nick Colionne and  Keb Mo among others on the Dave Koz Alaskan Jazz Cruise.

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