CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Soundhouse: Laura Macdonald and Zoe Rahman

Soundhouse returns to Traverse One with a unique performance from one of contemporary jazz’s most inspired musical pairings: Scottish saxophonist Laura Macdonald and pianist Zoe Rahman.

Soundhouse: Laura Macdonald and Zoe Rahman

About Soundhouse: Laura Macdonald and Zoe Rahman

We are delighted to welcome one of contemporary jazz's most inspired musical pairings. Saxophonist Laura Macdonald and pianist Zoe Rahman have performed in a duo setting over a number of years and come together for this concert to explore new, original compositions. Expect a mix of Celtic and Indian influences together with classic jazz. It will be a totally unique performance.

Here's some background...

Zoe Rahman received the Ivor Novello Award for outstanding achievement in 2022. The awards committee described her thus: "a composer and pianist who’s one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene. Throughout her career Zoe Rahman has been influenced by her English, Irish and Bengali heritage, 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 inspires a new generation with her experience, generosity and passion. Zoe shines as one of Britain’s most powerful compositional voices and important contemporary artists who puts a spotlight on jazz from the UK as an international musical force."

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 a 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, was nominated twice for the Paul Hamlyn Composition Award, and picked up 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. 2010 saw Laura collaborating with composer Tom Bancroft on a large scale piece called Band of Eden. In 2012 Laura was commissioned by the European Jazz Network to celebrate their 25 year anniversary and 2014 saw Laura commissioned as part of the 20 for 14 Commonweatlth 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.

With special guests: Ben Shankland Trio

Sponsored Links

Great Run Company
Tea Green
Paisley First
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Renfrewshire Council

Other Events at Traverse Theatre

Soundhouse: Paul Harrison’s Trio Mágico & Guests: Encontros

5th September 2025

This concert will celebrate the release of jazz pianist Paul Harrison’s long awaited new album Encontros – which brings a Scottish twist to the warmth and spark of Brazilian music.

READ MORE

Cauld Blast Orchestra

13th September 2025

The legendary Cauld Blast Orchestra, dormant for 20 years, is reborn with a new expanded line-up and comes to the Traverse Theatre on Saturday 13th September!

READ MORE

Black Hole Sign

8th October 2025 - 18th October 2025

Black Hole Sign takes a razor-sharp scalpel to the absurdities, tragedies and hilarity within of one of our most beloved but besieged institutions... the NHS.

READ MORE

So Young

23rd October 2025 - 25th October 2025

Both touching and funny, So Young is a story about coming back together after time apart.

READ MORE

Soundhouse: Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening

27th October 2025

Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening explore the connecting threads of music, landscape and people over a period of almost 2000 years.

READ MORE

Soundhouse: Erik Palmberg Quartet

4th November 2025

The Erik Palmberg Quartet has gained a lot international attention recent years and the group is one of the most interesting Scandinavian jazz acts today.

READ MORE

Ryan Young

10th November 2025

Ryan Young is a multi award winning fiddle player injecting fresh and innovative ideas into the realm of traditional Scottish music.

READ MORE

Andy Irvine

17th November 2025

Andy Irvine is one of the great Irish singers, don't miss him live at the Traverse Theatre on Monday 17th November!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Link
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Similar events you might like...

Burly Ceilidh Club

Burly Ceilidh Club

Selected dates between 10th January 2025 - 8th November 2025

We’re famous for the Ceilidhs in our stunning Auditorium at the Ghillie Dhu, so come along a make it a night to remember!

READ MORE
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight

Selected dates between 31st January 2025 - 23rd August 2025

Enjoy Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons, and other magnificent works by Candlelight at St Giles' Cathedral, performed by The Piccadilly Sinfonietta!

READ MORE
Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight

Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight

Selected dates between 1st February 2025 - 23rd August 2025

Join renowned British concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith for a performance of sensational classical and romantic works for solo piano at St Giles' Cathedral!

READ MORE
The Roze Garden

The Roze Garden

Selected dates between 20th February 2025 - 31st July 2025

Looking for the best Thursday night out in Edinburgh? Discover The Roze Garden - Edinburgh’s Cabaret and Club Night at The Street!

READ MORE
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre

Ceilidh in Charteris Centre

Selected dates between 22nd February 2025 - 31st December 2025

Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to their regular ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper!

READ MORE
Disco Days Edinburgh

Disco Days Edinburgh

Selected dates between 29th March 2025 - 19th July 2025

Scotland's beloved over 30s afternoon clubbing event Disco Days is back at Club Tropicana Edinburgh in 2025!

READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Selected dates between 19th April 2025 - 19th July 2025

Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!

READ MORE
Scottish Folk Music Cruise with Pure Malt

Scottish Folk Music Cruise with Pure Malt

Selected dates between 23rd May 2025 - 12th September 2025
South Queensferry

Step aboard Maid of the Forth for a magical evening on a Scottish Folk Cruise with live music from the fantastic Pure Malt!

READ MORE
The Haggis Ceilidh Club

The Haggis Ceilidh Club

Selected dates between 19th June 2025 - 21st August 2025

One of Edinburgh's best nights out! Come join The Haggis Chasers Ceilidh Band's monthly ceilidh at Old Dr Bells Baths!

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Great Run Company
Tea Green
Paisley First
Escape The Past
Fayre Play
Renfrewshire Council
Link
Open Pass Scotland
Escape The Past
ATG
Edinburgh Dungeon
Hostelworld

Popular Events

Dip Into Watercolour
Learn the basics of colour mixing and explore some watercolour techniques to help you gain confidence and control with the paint at Leith Makers!
Cut and Paste
Join Susan Mitchell at Leith Makers on 24th July for a relaxed and creative collage class where you’ll learn how to build a beautiful, layered artwork using a mix of vintage book and magazine pages!
Party101
Party 101 features a massive dance party with music from both Disney and Nickelodeon. Catch it at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 23rd September!
Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
The Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival returns from 11th to 20th July 2025, presenting a programme that spans the entire history of the music from ragtime to modern jazz to Chicago blues and beyond.
Jack Jones - Broken Strap
Continuing the ongoing collaboration between Peter Doherty's Strap Originals & Promotional group Broken Wing Club. Broken Strap presents Jack Jones at Leith Arches!

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall