Directory
Helena Kay
‘tenor saxophonist Helena Kay’s second album has a beautiful poise and assurance, that radiates from every groove’ ****
‘A formidable saxophonist and composer… Quite simply, outstanding!’ Nick Lea, Jazz Views ‘Kay and their impressive trio have created a nostalgic jazz album that highlights the ensemble's chemistry beautifully, through exciting melodies and captivating musicality.’
Jazz
Instrumentation
- Helena Kay - tenor saxophone & flute
- Peter Johnstone - piano
- Calum Gourlay - double bass
- Alyn Cosker - drums
Repertoire
all compositions by Helena Kay
The World I Live In
Alcazaba
Foils
Greylight
Blue Beetle
Komorebi
Virago
Twinship
Winter Halo
From Golden Sands:
Carla
Amor y Amargo
Xian Impressions
Towards the Sun
Da Dratsie
Tuesday Club
20/20
Golden Sands
Double 7
While we usually perform originals, we are happy to include tunes from the Great American Songbook and jazz canon.
Biography
Award-winning tenor saxophonist Helena Kay is quickly becoming renowned as one of the UK’s most creative and virtuosic jazz artists, with two critically acclaimed albums, four UK tours and performances at the UK’s most esteemed jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall and The Vortex.
Their latest album, Golden Sands (2022), was released on Kay’s own label, Sulis Records, in October 2022. The album received high praise from the jazz media, showcasing original compositions that are reflective of Kay’s experiences in their homeland of Scotland, and their time spent living in London and New York City.
Kay’s well-received debut album, Moon Palace (Ubuntu 2018), followed their Peter Whittingham Jazz Award win in 2017, which also funded the project.
In addition to being an avid composer, Kay is a prolific and self-managing performer, having booked four of their own tours in the UK with support from Help Musicians, Creative Scotland and Arts Council England. They have also featured in a wide variety of other bands and alongside some of the UK’s finest jazz talents, including Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, EuroRadio Jazz Orchestra, Ryan Quigley, Zoe Rahman, Yazz Ahmed, Sean Gibbs and Seonaid Aitken.
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