Laura Macdonald - The American Songbook

Laura Macdonald is one of the UK’s most prominent women in Jazz. She began playing alto saxophone at the age of sixteen. In 1995 Laura was given a full scholarship to Berklee School of Music in Boston and graduated in 1997. Laura became the first winner of the Scottish Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 1997.In 1998, Laura became lead alto player in the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra.

This performance consists of American Songbook classics from Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Gershwin and many more. Up and coming vocalist Luca Manning joins Laura’s existing quartet.

Laura has released 4 c.d’s Laura – Spartacus records (2000), Awakenings Spartacus Records (2003, Open Book – Imogena Records (2008), Duets – Niro Music (2014).2005 saw Laura win a ‘Take Five’ initiative award funded by the Jerwood Foundation. Laura is a prominent composer being nominated twice for the Paul Hamlyn Composition Award and has been commissioned by Creative Scotland (Commonwealth Games, SNJO, London Jazz Festival, PRS, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, Jazz Scotland, The European Jazz Network and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.