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, in 2023 he reached the final of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Jazz Musician of the Year competition and most recently played Tenor Saxophone with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in their 2025 Weather Report project featuring Laurence Cottle. 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”.
Lives Move Like Circles
Out Now
I am very pleased to announce that my new EP Lives Move Like Circles is now out in the world!
Huge thanks to Doug Whates at Pyrofon for everything he’s done getting the music off the ground. Thanks to Mark Quinn for his beautiful photography and inspiration. And of course a deep thanks to Graeme Stephen, Elie Afif, Kevin Henderson and Neil Birse for their friendship and spirit.
The music came to me late last year after the passing of my grandfather and channels ideas of our ever-evolving lives. I hope you find some truth in the music.
Love Matthew x
I’ve heard that lives move like circles. Although I agree, to an extent, I have my own theory. I believe that lives move in orbits. Like moons and planets, our lives revolve around a shared point. Lifelong friends move in unison through space and time. Acquaintances only complete one rotation before separating. Over time, friends may drift out of orbit gradually, or some event may change a person’s trajectory entirely.
Recent Reviews
Lives Move Like Circle EP review
‘Lives Move Like Circles’ is calming and reflective, a gorgeous twenty minutes. It’s easy to get lost in all three of the songs. All the playing is great, and the production- Doug Whates and Christoph Stickel- is beautifully clear.
A lovely and insightful review of the new EP here by Seth Connor-Fullwood at A Young(ish) Perspective. Read the full review here
Matthew Kilner Quintet 21st March 2026
As part of the 2026 Aberdeen Jazz Festival I had the opportunity to perform with my fantastic quintet of Alyn, Paul, Graeme and Ali. There was a fantastic energy in the sold-out Cowdray Hall that evening, it’s certainly a gig that will stay with me for a long time. Here is a short excerpt of Maria Robertson’s lovely review of the gig:
‘Throughout the full ninety minute set the musicians coordinate beautifully, all very respectful of each other. Kilner leaves the stage when he is not playing, but otherwise is front and centre leading the group. Each individual has a chance of a solo to show off their extraordinary talents.”
You can read the full review here
Upcoming Dates
12/12/25
Cowdray Hall
Kilner/Birse + Friends
Aberdeen
8pm
18/12/25
The Outhouse
PLAYTIME
Edinburgh
9pm
04/12/25
The Basement
Kilner/Afif/Ganguli
Glasgow
9pm
28/11/25
The Jazz Bar
Kevin Henderson Band
Edinburgh
9.15pm