Home » Jazz Musicians » Harben Kay
Harben Kay
Award-winning tenor saxophonist Harben 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.
Their third album as a leader, The World I Live In, is coming out on 3rd October 2025.
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. Last year they took part in Serious’s prestigious Take Five programme. 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, Zoe Rahman, Yazz Ahmed, Sean Gibbs and Seonaid Aitken.
Awards
Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2015
Anjool Malde Prize 2016
Peter Whittingham Jazz Award 2017
Best Instrumentalist, Scottish Jazz Awards 2022
Drake YolanDa Award 2023
Gear
D'Addario Jazz Select tenor saxophone reeds 3M filed
Drake NY Jazz mouthpiece 7*
Tags
Josephine Davies & The Ensō Ensemble: The Celtic Wheel Of The Year Suite
by Angelo Leonardi
Sassofonista e compositrice britannica, nota per il trio Satori, Josephine Davies debutta con un ricco e raffinato progetto orchestrale, che presenta la sua suite in otto parti ispirata alle feste stagionali celtiche delle isole Shetland. “Dopo aver composto diversi pezzi per orchestra jazz" --ha detto Josephine--"ispirata da un trasferimento in campagna durante il lockdown, ho sentito l'urgenza di approfondire il mio legame con la natura e rivisitare una mia precedente composizione. (...) Ogni movimento della suite è ispirato ...
Continue ReadingHelena Kay's KIM Trio: Moon Palace
by Roger Farbey
Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year 2015, Helena Kay is joined on her debut album by Ferg Ireland on bass and David Ingamells on drums. Kay studied for a BMus Jazz at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, graduating in 2016 with First Class Honours. She was also awarded the Anjool Malde Jazz Prize for the highest jazz final recital mark that year. The opener “L And D" is characterised by its alternately fast/slow ...
Continue Reading‘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.’ Isabel Marquez, Jazz in Europe
‘tenor saxophonist [Harben] Kay’s second album has a beautiful poise and assurance, that radiates from every groove’ **** Chris Searle, Morning Star
Geri Allen
piano
Carla Bley
piano
Chris Cheek
saxophone
Dayna Stephens
saxophone, tenor
