Soundhouse returns to Traverse One in April with a unique performance from one of contemporary jazz’s most inspired musical pairings: Scottish saxophonist Laura Macdonald and MOBO-winning pianist Zoe Rahman, thanks to support from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.
Laura Macdonald has recorded with UK and US leading players such as the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, David Berkman and Donny McAuslin. In 2021, under the name Laura Michael, she participated in BBC’s Masterchef, securing a spot in the final six, and in the same year won Instrumentalist of the Year at the Scottish Jazz Awards. Zoe Rahman has ingrained herself in the contemporary jazz scene and alongside her individual achievements, has played and recorded with Courtney Pine, Jerry Dammers’ Spatial AKA Orchestra, Martha Wainwright, and many more.
Zoe Rahman received the Ivor Novello Award for outstanding achievement in 2022. Throughout her career she has been influenced by her English, Irish and Bengali heritage, and written music with swing, lyricism, energy and intimacy. Her sound is drenched with originality and a jazz legitimacy that recognises her pedigree as a world class artist, composer and performer. Winner of the Perrier Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 1999, she has since picked up a MOBO, a Parliamentary Jazz Award and a Mercury Prize nomination. And, with her commitment to education and campaigning for greater female representation in instrumental jazz, she is inspiring a new generation with her experience, generosity and passion.
Laura Macdonald is one of the Scotland’s (and the UK’s) most prominent women in jazz. In a career spanning three decades she has gone from the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra to Berklee School of Music in Boston to the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, to being a highly respected headlining player, recording artist, composer and educator. She won the inaugural Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year prize in 1997, a Take Five initiative award from the Jerwood Foundation in 2005, has been nominated twice for the Paul Hamlyn Composition Award, and won Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year at the Scottish Jazz Awards in 2021. In 2009 Laura was commissioned to write a new sextet suite that was premiered at Islay Jazz Festival and in 2010 collaborated with composer Tom Bancroft on a large scale piece called Band of Eden. In 2012 she was commissioned by the European Jazz Network as part of their 25 year anniversary celebrations and in 2014 she was commissioned as part of the 20 for 14 Commonwealth Games. She was also selected by the London Jazz Festival to write a duet piece with David Berkman to coincide with the release of her fourth release Duets.
“Whatever the material, Macdonald impresses, particularly on alto saxophone. She rides the fire of the cracking rhythm section with both grace and passion.” Michael Tucker
Zoe and Laura’s concert will be supported by the Ben Shankland Trio. Edinburgh born pianist and composer Ben Shankland’s trio is an exciting new group on the UK jazz scene with a fresh and distinctive sound.
Laura Macdonald said: “I am so excited to play with Zoe Rahman as part of this concert series. Every time Zoe and I play together our musical relationship and friendship develops. It truly is beautiful music that we have developed over years playing together. Both Zoe and I are filled with excitement to play at Traverse 1!”
Douglas Robertson and Jane-Ann Purdy, co-producers of this year’s Traverse One series said: “For decades the jazz world was dominated by male musicians, where often the only female present would be the vocalist. These two stunning players can hold their own alongside the best and have developed a powerful repertoire over the many years they’ve played together”.
Laura Macdonald and Zoe Rahman live in Traverse 1
with support Ben Shankland Trio
Tickets: £16/£13
Date: Monday 8 April 2024
Doors open: 7:30pm | Music starts: 8pm (bar open from 7pm)
Location: Traverse One, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh
Jim Welsh
Radio Summerhall Arts 