July 15, 2026

Episode 55: Musician, Saxophonist, Composer, Educator and Activist Roxy Coss

Episode 55 Executive Summary

This episode examines the career of saxophonist, composer, and educator Roxy Coss. Coss is a Grammy Award-winning musician and a prominent figure in contemporary jazz. Raised in Seattle, she developed a foundation in jazz through local public school programs before pursuing a formal music education at William Paterson University. The episode traces her transition to the New York City jazz scene, detailing her evolution from a side musician to a bandleader and composer with a six-album discography. In addition to her musical output, Coss is the founder of the Women In Jazz Organization (WIJO), established to address gender disparities in the industry. Her career illustrates a dual commitment to artistic development and systemic equity within jazz.

Keywords: Roxy Coss, tenor saxophone, Women In Jazz Organization, William Paterson University, contemporary jazz, Stony Brook University

A. Early Life: The Seattle Foundations

Roxy Coss was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, within a family that actively supported the arts. Her father introduced her to various genres, and she began studying piano at age six and alto saxophone at age nine. By the time she reached middle school, she transitioned to the tenor saxophone and was introduced to foundational jazz recordings by her teacher, Robert Knatt. She studied the styles of saxophonists such as John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and Stan Getz. Coss attended Garfield High School, participating in its renowned jazz ensemble under the direction of Clarence Acox and competing in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band competition in New York City.

B. Formal Education and the Move to NYC

Determined to pursue a career in jazz, Coss relocated to New Jersey to attend William Paterson University. She studied with jazz faculty and visiting artists, graduating magna cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies and Performance. During her senior year in 2007, she moved to New York City to establish herself in the local music scene. Coss initially worked as a side musician, taking various gigs to build her professional network, including early performances with Clark Terry's Titans.

C. Establishing Her Unique Voice

Recognizing the competitive nature of the New York jazz scene, Coss focused on developing her skills as a composer, arranger, and bandleader. She utilized a weekly restaurant gig in 2008 to refine her writing and leadership abilities. As a bandleader, she has released six albums, including "Restless Idealism" (2016), "Chasing the Unicorn" (2017), "The Future is Female" (2018), and "Disparate Parts" (2022). Her compositions frequently incorporate a variety of influences, drawing from hard bop, pop, and contemporary fusion to reflect modern culture. Her playing is characterized by a strong technical foundation and a commitment to individual expression over conventional pattern reproduction.

D. Activism and Women In Jazz Organization

Driven by personal experiences with gender inequity in the music industry, Coss founded the Women In Jazz Organization (WIJO) in July 2017. The non-profit organization serves to empower women and non-binary individuals in jazz by providing mentorship, resources, and a professional network. Coss views her activism as inseparable from her musical identity. WIJO operates a mentorship program that pairs emerging artists with experienced professionals, aiming to create a more equitable and supportive environment within the jazz community.

E. Educational Leadership and Continued Success

Coss maintains an active role in jazz education. She serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at Stony Brook University and as the Co-Artistic Director of the Brubeck Jazz Summit. In 2024, she was named a visiting fellow at Wesleyan University's College of the Environment, teaching a course on women in jazz. Her work has been recognized with a Grammy Award for her participation in the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra, an ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award, and recurring placements in the DownBeat Critics' Poll.

F. References

A.] Roxy Coss Official Website. About. Retrieved July 15, 2026 from here.
B.] Roxy Coss (Wikipedia). Retrieved July 15, 2026 from here.
C.] Strictly Jazz Sounds (YouTube). Roxy Coss: Students Are the Music. Retrieved July 15, 2026 from here.