Sub-Principal Double Bass

Jamie Kenny grew up in Edinburgh where he attended the City of Edinburgh Music School. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Royal College of Music with Thomas Martin, and his postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music with Duncan McTier and Graham Mitchell.

Jamie spent a year in Manchester taking part in the Halle/RNCM String Leadership Scheme, played as Principal Double Bass in Lorin Maazel's Castleton Festival Orchestra in America, toured extensively with the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and furthered his studies with Joel Quarrington at the Orford Musique Academie in Canada.

Jamie joined the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 2023 and was previously Associate Principal of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra for five years. He has also worked with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, English National Opera, the John Wilson Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and the Hebrides Ensemble.

Jamie has also played as Guest Principal with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Welsh National Opera, Opera North, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

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Quickfire questions

What was your first concert experience?

I started learning the piano and violin when I was very young so have some early memories from those years but my first really meaningful orchestral concert experiences were during my first course with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra. I was fourteen years old and had only taken up the double bass about a year earlier so really didn't know what had hit me when this full symphony orchestra started playing Shostakovich's fifth symphony. I barely knew how to hold the instrument but realised immediately how much I loved being a part of a group playing wonderful music. I was a member of the EYO for many years after that and made some of my closest friends there (some of whom play with the SCO) and even the woman who I would go on to marry.

Which concerts this Season are you especially looking forward to, and why?

There are so many great programmes coming up this Season but I'm especially looking forward to the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony with Maxim next February. Anything with Maxim is going to be exciting but I think that this should be very powerful. And I really love Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks which is also in that programme so it's set to be a great week!

What does creativity mean to you?

For me creativity is the ability to try and create shapes, colours and lines in music. To try and find what's not on the page and bring the music to life. I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of a group in which creativity is so alive.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?

I think that the best advice that I've been given is to try to always keep learning. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by colleagues and friends who inspire and encourage me to keep aspiring for more.

Where is your happy place?

My happy place is in the hills. I love walking, cycling and particularly running. I'm a proud member of the Carnethy Hill Running Club!