Laura Macdonald & Kevin Mackenzie

Saxophonist-composer Laura Macdonald has been a leading figure on the Scottish jazz scene over the past three decades. She studied at RSAMD in Glasgow, before moving to Boston’s Berklee College, following which she led a sextet which included saxophonist Donny McCaslin and drummer Antonio Sanchez, both now better known for their associations with David Bowie and Pat Metheny respectively. She has recorded with pianist David Berkman on her 2013 album Duets, bassist James Genus and drummers Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Martina Almgren and appeared with pianist Zoe Rahman in both duos and larger groups.

Since winning “Best Young Musician” at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival in 1987 and meeting members of what became the influential John Rae Collective – Brian Kellock, Phil Bancroft, Colin Steele, Kenny Ellis and John Rae – guitarist Kevin Mackenzie has been at the forefront of the jazz scene both in Scotland and internationally. His longstanding interest in traditional music has led to his work in many cross-genre projects with musicians such as Martyn Bennet, Chris Stout, Karen Tweed, Simon Thoumire, Jenna Reid and others.

With Kevin, whose experience also includes recordings with American saxophonist Lauren Stillman, Trio AAB and Hue & Cry as well as leading his own groups including the nine-piece Vital Signs, Laura explores original compositions and standards in a close musical conversation in the atmospheric and intimate space at St Peters’s.