Vaughn Roberts is one of New Zealand’s finest composers and arrangers. His music has been performed by the likes of Norah Jones, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Robben Ford, James Carter, Gregg Bissonette, Louis Dowdeswell and the multi Grammy nominated University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band. Vaughn’s debut album “Grrreat Stuff!” composed and arranged for Big Band was recognised as Jazz Album of the Year at the 2006 New Zealand Music Awards. He has written extensively for television broadcast, and his music is regularly featured on Air New Zealand in-flight entertainment.

As a performer Vaughn has extensive experience world wide. He played lead trumpet in the live band for TVNZ’s award winning series “Dancing With The Stars” from 2005 to 2009. He has performed with such diverse artists as Norah Jones, Ronan Keating, Diana Krall, Gerry Mulligan, Allen Vizzutti, Eric Marienthal, Joe Lovano, Tim Hagans, Kiri Te Kanawa, Che Fu, Paul Potts and Hayley Westenra. He has been been featured in jazz festivals in the United States, Norway, Finland, Poland, Romania, and his native New Zealand. Vaughn spent many enjoyable years as Musical Director aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, where he was recognised as Musician of the Year for his services to the company.

Vaughn received a Masters degree in Music Performance from the prestigious University of North Texas, where he was a teaching fellow and member of the Grammy nominated “One O’Clock Lab Band”. He has served on the faculty of the New Zealand School of Music, teaching theory, improvisation, composition, arranging, and instrumental lessons. His experience has also been shared with the New Zealand Jazz Foundation where he was a committee member for several years, twice directing the New Zealand High School Jazz Orchestra. He coordinated and developed the New Zealand School of Music Young Musicians Program – an academy for gifted high school students.

As a commercial writer, Vaughn has arranged hundreds of charts for performers worldwide in virtually every conceivable style and instrumentation. He is equally adept with scoring for Big Band, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, String Quartet or Showband. Easy to read and always functional, Vaughn’s writing is appreciated by musicians all over the globe.

Currently based in Romania, Vaughn is excited about being in a new environment, and collaborating with creative like-minded artists.