Roy worked with the Mangione Brothers group (Chuck and Gap Mangione) in the early 60’s. He later joined the Art Farmer Jazztet and then went with Sonny Rollins. Following Sonny Rollins he became a full time member of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet from the mid-60’s. McCurdy traveled internationally with the group, including a particularly successful tour of South America in 1972. In his spare time he does studio work for NBC movies of the week, and is featured on various record dates. When Adderley passed in July 1975, McCurdy started touring with Kenny Rankin. He also played on commercial jingles with Benny Golson and gigs locally with both Golson, Jerome Richardson, Pat Senatore, Pete Christieb, Conte Condeli, Ruth Price, Jack Sheldon, Super Sax, Robin Ford, Bill Henderson, The Cunninghams and Diana Krall to name a few.

Roy is presently an Adjunt Professor in the Jazz Studies Department of the Thornton School of Music at USC, teaching drums. He has been with PCM since 2012.