In the heart of New Orleans, where the rhythm of jazz still 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, he is a living testament to the power of music to transcend time and place.

Born into a lineage where music runs deep—his great-grandfather, Louis D. James, co-wrote songs with the legendary Buddy Bolden, and his cousin, Leon Bridges, carries forward the family’s musical legacy—Troy’s connection to jazz is woven into his very DNA. With each note, he honors that history while pushing the boundaries of sound. He has shared the stage with music icons like Jon Batiste, Wynton Marsalis, Lalah Hathaway, Harry Connick Jr., and Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and The Bangas, making his artistry resonate far beyond the confines of New Orleans.

At the helm of Troy Sawyer & The Elementz, he leads a dynamic fusion of funk, rock, soul, jazz, and Latin influences—a musical gumbo that captivates audiences with its energy and depth. Their debut album, Rock Your Soul, electrified the New Orleans music scene, solidifying Troy as a bold new voice in the next generation of musicians shaping the city’s future sound.

But Troy’s impact reaches beyond the stage. As the founder of Girls Play Trumpets Too (GPTT), a nonprofit empowering young girls to break gender barriers in the music world, he is cultivating the next generation of musicians. His groundbreaking work recently earned national recognition on The Kelly Clarkson Show alongside Justin Timberlake.

Honored as Emerging Artist of the Year by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund and awarded the Millennial Award for Music by OffBeat Magazine, Troy is more than a musician—he is a catalyst for change, carrying the torch of New Orleans’ musical legacy into the future, where the music never stops evolving, inspiring, and igniting hearts around the world.