Harben Kay is a saxophonist and composer currently based in Glasgow. Originally from Perth, Scotland, Harben moved to London in 2012 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 with a First Class in BMus Jazz (Hons).

While still studying in London, Harben was awarded the Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year Award (2015). In 2021, Harben was selected to become a City Music Foundation Artist. 

Harben’s KIM Trio recorded their debut album, Moon Palace, in 2017 after winning the much-coveted Peter Whittingham Jazz Award the same year. The album was released on Ubuntu Music in December 2018. The album features Harben on saxophone with David Ingamells on drums and Ferg Ireland on double bass.

The trio’s music draws influences from various locations: Scotland, London, and New York, each of which have been home for Harben at various stages. While in New York, Harben had lessons with some of the greats of the contemporary jazz scene – Dayna Stephens, Melissa Aldana, Chris Cheek and Rodney Green.

Harben also plays with various groups including pianist Zoe Rahman’s octet, bassist Calum Gourlay’s quartet, Issie Barratt’s Interchange Dectet and EuroRadio Jazz Orchestra 2017 and has performed at numerous festivals such as London Jazz Festival and Glasgow Jazz Festival, as well as venues including Ronnie Scott’s, The Royal Albert Hall and The Vortex in London. In addition to leading the KIM Trio, Harben is currently working with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and has composed and performed new works for the SNJO’s Nu-Age Sounds and Nu-Age Sounds: Planet World projects.

A second album, Golden Sands, features pianist (and fellow former Young Scottish Jazz Musician of the Year) Peter Johnstone alongside Calum Gourlay on double bass and David Ingamells on drums. The album was released on Sulis Records and has earned praise from radio presenters in the UK and as far afield as Canada and Australia.

From September 2024, Harben is playing a prestigious series of concerts at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh featuring pianist Zoe Rahman, Harben’s quartet revisiting the music from Golden Sands, violinist-composer Seonaid Aitken’s ensemble (which includes Harben as featured soloist) and a special launch concert for Harben’s third album, The World I Live In.

UK dates are being organised around the album release date in October 2025.