Helena Kay wins Drake YolanDa Award

September 26, 2023

Helena Kay

Jazz saxophonist Helena Kay has announced that they are one of this year’s Drake YolanDa Award winners.

Writing in their newsletter, Helena said, “a huge thank you to Drake YolanDa Award 2023 for choosing me – I’m really happy and excited about this award, and all of the opportunities that will come out of it. Big thanks also to Jonny Mansfield for playing with me on the shortlist day.”

Helena Kay’s upcoming gigs

Friday 29th September
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Geoffrey Keezer
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Book tickets

Saturday 30th September
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Geoffrey Keezer
Queens Cross Church, Aberdeen
Book tickets

Monday 1st October
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Geoffrey Keezer
The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
Book tickets

Sunday 8th October
Zoe Rahman Octet
Howard Assembly Room, Leeds
Book tickets

Friday 13th October
Zoe Rahman Octet
Centre University of Liverpool
Book tickets

Sunday 15th October
Vortex Jam Session hosted by Helena Kay
Vortex, London
Book tickets

Monday 16th October
Tomorrow’s New Quartet
Jazz at the Parakeet, London
Book tickets

Tuesday 17th October
Tomorrow’s New Quartet
The Spotted Dog, Birmingham

Friday 27th October
Seonaid Aitken Ensemble – Chasing Sakura
Falkirk Trinity Church
Book tickets

Sunday 12th November
Seonaid Aitken Ensemble – Chasing Sakura
Kelso Old Parish Church
Book tickets

November 18th
Josephine Davies Big Band –London Jazz Festival
Milton Court, London
Book tickets

Friday 8th December
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Ellington
Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Book tickets

Saturday 9th December
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Ellington
Laidlaw Music Centre, St Andrews
Book tickets

Sunday 10th December
Scottish National Jazz Orchestra – Ellington
The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh
Book tickets

Tuesday 12th December
Tomorrow’s New Quartet
Brecon

Wednesday 13th December
Tomorrow’s New Quartet
Cardiff

Saturday 16th December
Emma Smith presents Snowbound
Ronnie Scott’s, London

Helena Kay is a tenor saxophonist and composer based in London. Originally from Perth, Scotland, they moved to London in 2012 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 with a First Class Degree in BMus Jazz (Hons). During their time studying, they were awarded the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year Award (2015). In 2021, they were selected to become a City Music Foundation Artist.