A cabaret style evening with a variety of young talent well recognised for their significant place in the jazz scene.
Artists include pianist Neil Birse, bassist Pete Lowit and saxophonist Matthew Kilner from Aberdeen and singer Elaine Crighton. Should be a great evening.
Doors Open 7.30pm
Concert starts 8pm
Finishes (approx.) 10pm
Neil Birse
Aberdeen born Neil is a classically trained jazz pianist. A recent graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he is passionate about performance and education. Teachers whilst at Guildhall include Nikki Isles, Malcolm Edmonstone, Jason Rebello, Gareth Williams and Steve Watts. Prior to Guildhall, Neil was pianist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, touring for several years around the UK. Artists he toured with during this time included; Liane Carrol, Tim Garland, Mike Walker, Ian Dixon and Chris Batchelor. Whilst at Guildhall, Neil was pianist and assistant MD to the Guildhall Jazz Singers who performed regularly throughout London. During his final year, Neil also appeared on an EP by Crawford Mack. Post Guildhall, Neil has continued working regularly with various singers and musicians, live and in studio, including showcases in Switzerland, and co-producing a big band album by Giles Thornton. Often working with jazz, folk, classical and rock musicians, he also enjoys leading group workshops in schools and privately. Recent projects have included a piano and pipe organ duet in Aberdeen’s Sound Festival and arranging for the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir’s performances in ‘Nae Ordinary Burns Supper’. Neil also loves the outdoors.
Peter Lowit
Peter Lowit is a self taught musician who has been playing double bass for over 40 years, mainly in jazz and dance bands. He learned his craft working with with local musicians such as Mune Angus, Frank Stephenson and Bill Kemp. In the early 1990's he started playing in the house bands at the Lemon Tree and Blue Lamp accompanying visiting jazz musicians from all over the world. He has also played in Stavanger, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals.
Matthew Kilner
A recent MMus Jazz Performance graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Matthew is an active musician and educator around Aberdeen and Scotland. Recently, Matthew has had a busy few years having recorded an album with the band Hamlet, receiving joint first place in the Ogston Performance Prize at Aberdeen University and receiving a first class honours in Community Music as well as many performances across the UK. A few notable bands Matthew has performed with include: The Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz Orchestra, The University of Aberdeen Symphony Orchestra, Jazz fusion group- Hamlet as well as many solo and duo performances. Matthew plays regularly at the Blue Lamp jazz club in Aberdeen and has performed across the UK, playing in a number of jazz festivals. Matthew recently performed music to the Dutchess of Cornwall on a recent visit to the Aberdeen Airport. He was also involved in a virtual performance for the University of Aberdeen “Extraordinary Burns Supper” in which Iain Glen and The Dutchess of Cornwall were both involved. Now studying under Mike Williams and John O’Gallagher, Matthew continues to develop his sound and approach to improvisation as well as being an active musician on the Scottish and Birmingham scene.
Elaine Crighton
Vocalist Elaine Crighton has been cultivating a name for herself on the Scottish Jazz scene these last few years. From her origins in the North East of Scotland she has now performed widely across the country putting an indelible stamp on modern jazz, vocalising and bringing out the best that The Great American Songbook has to offer. While studying on a 3 year Jazz Programme at St Andrews University Elaine was the recipient of the Linda Trahan award for Outstanding Performance in 2016. An ever popular presence on the Scottish Jazz Scene she has helped to grow the Garioch Jazz Club and is the driving force behind the Inverurie Jazz Festival too. She has jazz running through her core and the Scottish Jazz Scene is all the better for it. Working with various musicians from Aberdeenshire, Glasgow and Edinburgh the full quintet performs an eclectic mix of classic swing pieces alongside cool arrangements of Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis tunes and Latin standards, many sung with original Portuguese lyrics. Elaine’s repertoire is vast and varied.
