Matthew Kilner & Aberdeen Youth Jazz Ensemble

Matthew Kilner

Described as “one to watch” (Jazz Views 2025) Matthew Kilner is an active musician, educator, and award-winning saxophonist, currently based in Glasgow. 

Matthew regularly performs at festivals and jazz clubs around the UK and abroad including; Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London's Pizza Express Live, and the 2023 Regensburg Jazz Festival. 

In 2019, Matthew won the prestigious Ogston Performance Prize whilst attending the University of Aberdeen, and most recently reached the final of the 2023 BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition. 

He is an established band leader and has recently released his debut album “The Space In Between” which features Alyn Cosker, Paul Harrison and Ewan Hastie. The album has received critical acclaim and has been described as an “exceptional debut”.

Neil Birse

Aberdeen born Neil Birse is a classically trained jazz pianist. Prior to studying, Neil was pianist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, touring for several years around the UK. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, he is passionate about performance and education. Whilst at Guildhall, Neil was pianist and assistant MD to the Guildhall Jazz Singers who performed regularly throughout London.

He has recorded with several ensembles and bands, co-produced a big band album, and has continued working regularly with various singers and musicians, live and in studio, including showcases in Switzerland. 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, arranging for the University of Aberdeen Chamber Choir’s performances in ‘Nae Ordinary Burns Supper’, and recorded gigged, and co-wrote with Ray Estaire (with whom two tracks were featured and playlisted on the radio for a month).