Kit Downes

Kit Downes

Kit Downes is a British BBC Jazz Award winning, Mercury Music Award nominated, solo recording artist for ECM Records.

He has toured the world playing piano, church organ and harmonium with his own bands ('ENEMY', 'Troyka', 'Elt' and 'Vyamanikal') as well as artists such as Squarepusher, Thomas Strønen and Django Bates. He has written commissions for Cheltenham Music Festival, London Contemporary Orchestra, Stavanger Konserthus, Rewire Festival, Cologne Philharmonie, BBC Radio 3 and the Wellcome Trust, as well as collaborating with film-makers, video game developers and classical composers.

Downes performs solo pipe organ and solo piano. He also plays in collaborations with saxophonist Tom Challenger, cellist Lucy Railton, composer Shiva Feshareki and with the band 'ENEMY'. He is also currently working with fiddle-player Aidan O'Rourke, composer Max de Wardener, Berlin-based jazz avant-gardist Oliver Steidle's 'Killing Popes' and with singer/photographer Paula Rae Gibson. He teaches piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music where in 2019 he was awarded a Fellowship.[1] He used to teach at the Purcell School of Music and is also a patron of the ‘Musical Keys’ charity.

Biography

Downes was an organ scholar at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, before he left to study piano, organ and composition at the Purcell School of Music and later the Royal Academy of Music (where he later became an Associate and Fellow).[1] Whilst at the RAM he studied with Milton Mermikides. He began performing with and composing for the UK band 'Empirical' – with whom he toured North America and Europe (playing at 'Newport Jazz Festival'), whilst also performing with Acoustic Ladyland, Micachu, Lee Konitz and Django Bates.[citation needed]

He received a Mercury Music Award nomination (in 2010),[2] BBC Jazz Award, and a British Jazz Award for his own albums, and later toured with his own group ‘ENEMY’, Troyka, Julian Arguelles' Quartet, Thomas Stronen and Sylvain Darrifourcq – playing all over the world. In 2013 and 2015 he was nominated in the Rising Star category in Downbeat Magazine (US), and in 2014 won the 'Best Album Award' at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards.[3] In 2015, Downes recorded his first album for ECM with Thomas Strønen's ‘Time is a Blind Guide’.

In 2013, he was asked by Django Bates to join his new ensemble ’The TDEs’ to play a new commission for both BBC Radio 3 and Cheltenham Jazz Festival (alongside his Troyka band mates). In 2014 he began touring with world famous clinic drummer Benny Greb – after playing the Meinl Drum Festival and he later went onto co-produce Benny's album ‘Moving Parts’. Also in 2014 he was asked by the Southbank Centre to write a new work for the opening festival of the recently refurbished Royal Festival Hall Organ.[4]

In 2015, he worked with Aldeburgh Music and Tom Challenger on a project called ‘Vyamanikal’ – a series of recordings documenting extended techniques on various local church organs – the project was later performed live at the Aldeburgh Festival.[5] He was asked by the Cologne Philharmonie to write a new work for their organ in 2016, and has performed original commissions by Shiva Feshareki for the Union Chapel Organ. He was also commissioned by the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, the Wellcome Trust, Darmstadt Organ Festival 2015 (with drummer Jonas Burgwinkel), BBC Radio 2, BBC Jazz on 3, Jazzwise Magazine, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, London Contemporary Music Festival and the London Jazz Festival.

Also in 2015, Downes was asked to join Squarepusher’s live band ‘Shobaleader One’ – interpreting works from Squarepusher's back catalogue for a live band. Downes also collaborated (on a range of acoustic and electronic instruments) with composers Matt Rogers and Mica Levi, electronic musician Leafcutter John, drummer Seb Rochford, filmmaker Ashley Pegg, artist Dave McKean, animator Lesley Barnes and geneticist Adam Rutherford (for the Wellcome Trust).

In 2016, Downes was commissioned to compose a work for organ and four cellos for ‘Tre Voci’[6] to be performed in Oslo in 2016, as well as a new work for ‘Stavanger Organ Day 2016’. He later adapted ‘Vyamanikal’ for Manchester Jazz Festival 2016 and co-curated a music technology instillation at Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2016.

52 Studies for Right Hand Downes wrote 52 piano pieces for right-hand only in 2017 (having injured his left hand). He wrote one piece for every day of his recovery.[7]

Between November 2017 and March 2018, Downes was part of the musical ensemble that composed music and appeared on stage for the Royal National Theatre's production of 'Network' starring Bryan Cranston.

In January 2018, Downes released his first solo record with ECM.[8] 'Obsidian' is a collection of solo organ works and is a musical response to volcanicity, slow processes that cause extreme reactions. A mixture of written and semi-scored/semi-improvised pieces, it focuses on the nuances and unique features of both smaller chamber organs local to rural Suffolk as well as larger grander instruments from bigger cities around the UK. It is both a study of extended techniques from instruments sometimes in states of disrepair, and a connection and adaptation of the improvised tradition of the instrument, exploring themes of duration, vibration and mechanics.

Also in 2018, Downes worked with Aidan O'Rourke on his latest project – the mammoth tune-cycle '365'. O'Rourke wrote a tune every day for a year in response to a short story collection by James Robertson. The result is a major new body of 365 tunes which O'Rourke is recording solo and in duos with Downes, guitarist Sorren Maclean and harpist Esther Swift. 365: Vol 1 was released in May 2018. 365: Volume 2 was released in August 2019.[9]

Awards

  • Winner of BBC Jazz Award 2008: Rising Star[10]
  • Yamaha Jazz Scholarship Award 2009
  • Mercury Prize 2010 – shortlisted[11]
  • Fellow of Royal Academy of Music 2019[1]
  • Downbeat Critics Award 2019 – Rising Star – Organ & Rising Star – Keyboard[12]
  • Downbeat Critics Award 2023 – Rising Star – Organ[13]

Discography

An asterisk (*) after the year indicates that it is the year of release.

As leader/co-leader

Year recorded Title Label Notes
2008–09 Troyka Edition As Troyka. Trio, with Chris Montague (guitar), Joshua Blackmore (drums)
2009* Homely Impure Duo. With Tom Cawley (piano)
2009* Golden Basho Trio. With Calum Gourlay (bass), James Maddren (drums)
2010 Catch Me Edition As Neon Quartet. Quartet. With Stan Sulzmann (sax), Jim Hart (vibes, marimba), Tim Giles (drums)
2011* Quiet Tiger Basho Trio. With Calum Gourlay (bass), James Maddren (drums). Some tracks quintet, with Adrien Dennefeld (cello), James Allsopp (tenor sax, bass clarinet) added
2012* Subjekt Edition As Neon Quartet. Quartet. With Stan Sulzmann (sax), Jim Hart (vibes), Tim Giles (drums)
2012* Moxxy Edition As Troyka. Trio, with Chris Montague (guitar), Joshua Blackmore (drums)
2013* Light from Old Stars Basho Quintet. With James Allsopp (clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor sax), Lucy Railton (cello), Calum Gourlay (bass), James Maddren (drums)
2013* Wedding Music Loop Duo. With Tom Challenger (tenor sax)
2013* Little Moon Man Solo piano. Credited to Chris Hyson as composer. Released as digital EP[14]
2013 Alive with Closed Eyes Solo piano. Credited to Chris Hyson as composer. Released as digital EP
2013 Live at the 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival Impossible Ark As Troykestra. Orchestra. With Chris Montague (guitar), Joshua Blackmore (drums), Reuben Fowler (trumpet), Alex Bonney (trumpet), Noel Langley (trumpet), Imogen Hancock (trumpet), Kieran Stickle McLeod (trombone), Patrick Hayes (trombone), Tom Green (trombone), Courtney Brown Bass (trombone), Mike Chillingworth (alto sax), Nadim Teimoori (alto sax), Sam Miles (tenor sax), James Allsop (tenor sax), Sam Rapley (bass clarinet, baritone sax), Louis Van Der Westhuizen (bass), Ralph Hero Wyld (vibes); in concert[15]
2015* Ornithophobia Naim As Troyka. Trio, with Chris Montague (guitar), Joshua Blackmore (drums)
2015 Vyamanikal Slip Duo. With Tom Challenger (sax)
2018* Obsidian ECM Most tracks solo church organ; one track duo, with Tom Challenger (tenor sax)
2018* Enemy Edition As Enemy. Trio, with Frans Petter Eldh (bass), James Maddren (drums)
2018* Emotion Machine Slowfoot (vinyl only) Duo with Paula Rae Gibson
2019* Dreamlife Of Debris ECM Quintet with Tom Challenger, Lucy Railton, Sebastian Rochford and Stian Westerhus
2021* Subaerial SN Variations As Lucy Railton & Kit Downes
2022* Vermillion ECM Trio with Frans Petter Eldh and James Maddren
2022* Multi-Directional Raw Tonk Trio with Andrew Lisle and John Edwards
2022* Deadeye[16] Dox Organ trio Deadeye with Reinier Baas (guitar) and Jonas Burgwinkel (drums)

As sideman

Year recorded Band/Leader Title Label Notes
2007* Empirical Empirical Destin-E Quintet. With Nathaniel Facey (alto sax), Jay Phelps (trumpet), Neil Charles (bass), Shaney Forbes (drums)
2009* Clark Tracey Current Climate Tentoten Sextet. With Paul Jordanous (trumpet), Pieres Green (sax), Lewis Wright (vibes), Ryan Trebilcock (bass)
2009* The Golden Age of Steam Raspberry Tongue Babel Trio. With James Allsopp (reeds), Tim Giles (drums)
2011* Threads Orchestra Threads Orchestra. With Adam Robinson (viola), Julian Gregory (violin), Semay Wu (cello), Chris Montague (guitar), Dai Pritchard (soprano sax), Ralph Wyld (vibes), Rus Pearson (bass), Joost Hendrickx (drums)
2012* George Crowley Paper Universe Whirlwind Quartet. With Calum Gourlay (bass), James Maddren (drums)
2012* The Golden Age of Steam Welcome to Bat Country Basho Trio. With James Allsopp (reeds), Tim Giles (drums). Some tracks quartet, quintet, sextet, with Alex Bonney (trumpet), James Widden (violin, viola), Alison Holford (cello), Ruth Goller (electric bass)
2013* Nostalgia 77 Journey Too Far Tru Thoughts
2015 Thomas Strønen Time Is a Blind Guide ECM
2017 Jeff Williams Lifelike Whirlwind Sextet, with Gonçalo Marquez (trumpet), John O'Gallagher (alto sax), Josh Arcoleo (tenor sax), Sam Lasserson (bass)
2022 Lucia Cadotsch Aki Heartcore Most tracks quartet, with Phil Donkin (bass), James Maddren (drums); some tracks quintet, with Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar) added[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c "2019 Academy Honours Announced – Royal Academy of Music". Ram.ac.uk.
  2. ^ "Jazz breaking news: Kit Downes Trio Nominated For The Mercury". Jazzwise.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Parliamentary Jazz Awards winners announced". Completemusicupdate.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  4. ^ Hewett, Ivan (13 March 2014). "Celebrating the organ: jazz's most unlikely instrument?". The Daily Telegraph.
  5. ^ "Kit Downes & Tom Challenger". Snapemaltings.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Recordings". Trevocicelloensemble.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  7. ^ "Kit Downes : 52 One Hand Pieces for Piano" (PDF). Kitdownes.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. ^ Records, E. C. M. "ECM Records". Ecmrecords.com.
  9. ^ "Aidan O'Rourke: About". Aidanorourke.net. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  10. ^ "BBC – Music – Jazz Awards 2008". BBC.
  11. ^ "Mercury Prize". Mercuryprize.com. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Salvant Tops 2019 DownBeat Critics Poll". Downbeat.com. 24 June 2019.
  13. ^ "71st Annual Critics Poll: Complete Results". DownBeat. Vol. 90, no. 8. August 2023. p. 47.
  14. ^ Mann, Ian (2013) "Little Moon Man – Played by Kit Downes". Thejazzman.com
  15. ^ Mann, Ian (2013) "Live at the 2013 Cheltenham Jazz Festival". Thejazzman.com
  16. ^ "Album "Deadeye" by Deadeye". bandcamp.org. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  17. ^ "Aki". luciacadotsch.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 31 December 2023.

Read other articles:

شذرات الذهب في أخبار من ذهبمعلومات عامةالمؤلف ابن العماد الحنبليالمحقق عبد القادر الأرناؤوط - محمود الأرناؤوطاللغة العربيةالموضوع التاريخ الإسلاميتعديل - تعديل مصدري - تعديل ويكي بيانات شذرات الذهب في أخبار من ذهب كتاب من كتب التاريخ، ألفه الفقيه والمؤرخ ابن العماد الحن...

Margaret LivingstonLivingston pada 1929LahirMarguerite Livingston(1895-11-25)25 November 1895Salt Lake City, Utah, A.S.Meninggal13 Desember 1984(1984-12-13) (umur 89)Warrington, Pennsylvania, A.S.Nama lainMargaret Livingstone Marguerite LivingstonePekerjaanAktrisTahun aktif1916–1934Suami/istriPaul Whiteman ​ ​(m. 1931; wafat 1967)​Anak4 Margaret Livingston (nee Marguerite Livingston; 25 November 1895 – 13 Desembe...

El Consejo de Estado utilizó al Palacio Legislativo como su sede. El Consejo de Estado fue el órgano que hizo las veces de poder legislativo en la dictadura cívico-militar que vivió Uruguay entre junio de 1973 y febrero de 1985, posterior al golpe de Estado del 27 de junio de 1973. Historia El Consejo de Estado fue creado por el decreto N° 464/973 del 27 de junio, firmado por Juan María Bordaberry, presidente elegido en las urnas en noviembre de 1971 y dictador desde el 27 de junio de 1...

Опис файлу Опис Логотип ФГУП ННТЦ ГП ИГД им. А.А. Скочинского (Росія) Джерело www.igdskochinsky.ru Час створення Невідомий Автор зображення Невідомий Ліцензія Це логотип (емблема) організації, товару, або заходу, що перебуває під захистом авторських прав та/або є товарним знаком. Ви...

«Not Today» Sencillo de BTSdel álbum You Never Walk AlonePublicación 20 de febrero de 2017Formato Descarga digital, streamingGénero(s) Synth Hip Hop[1]​Duración 3:51Discográfica Big Hit EntertainmentAutor(es) Pdogg, Hitman Bang, RM, Supreme Boi, JuneProductor(es) PdoggSencillos de BTS «Spring Day» (2017) «Not Today» (2017) «DNA» (2017) [editar datos en Wikidata] «Not Today» es una canción grabada por la boy band surcoreana BTS, lanzada el 20 de febrero de 2017 ...

Vladimir Artemov Владимир Артемов Informações pessoais Nome completo Vladimir Nikolaevich Artemov Modalidade Ginástica artística masculina Especialidade barras paralelas Representante União Soviética Nascimento 7 de dezembro de 1964 (58 anos)Vladimir, Vladimir Oblast Nacionalidade russa Nível sênior Treinador(a)(es/s) Viktor Firsov Período em atividade 1983- 1989 Medalhas Jogos Olímpicos Ouro Seoul 1988 Individual geral Ouro Seoul 1988 Barras paralelas Ouro ...

Lokasi Kabupaten Merauke di Provinsi Papua Selatan Berikut ini adalah daftar distrik, kelurahan, dan kampung di Kabupaten Merauke, Provinsi Papua Selatan. Kabupaten Merauke terdiri atas 20 distrik, 11 kelurahan, dan 179 kampung dengan luas wilayah 46.791,63 km² dan jumlah penduduk 223.389 jiwa (2017). Kode Wilayah Kabupaten Merauke adalah 93.01.[1][2][3] Kode Wilayah Nama Distrik Ibu kota Jumlah Daftar Kelurahan Kampung 93.01.01 Merauke Mandala 11 5 lbsDistrik Merauke...

Esta biografia de uma pessoa viva cita fontes, mas que não cobrem todo o conteúdo. Ajude a inserir fontes confiáveis e independentes. Material controverso que esteja sem fontes deve ser imediatamente removido, especialmente se for de natureza difamatória.—Encontre fontes: ABW  • CAPES  • Google (N • L • A) (Julho de 2023) A neutralidade deste artigo foi questionada. Discussão relevante pode ser encontrada na página de discuss

Commune and city in Atlantique Department, BeninOuidah GlexweWhydahCommune and cityDoor of No Return. A memorial arch monument to the trans-atlantic slavery, on the coast of Ouidah.OuidahLocation in BeninCoordinates: 6°22′N 2°05′E / 6.367°N 2.083°E / 6.367; 2.083Country BeninDepartmentAtlantique DepartmentArea • Total364 km2 (141 sq mi)Elevation65 m (213 ft)Population (2012)[1] • Total91,688 

Zénobe Gramme Zénobe Théophile Gramme (4 April 1826 – 20 Januari 1901) merupakan seorang insinyur listrik Belgia. Ia lahir di Jehay-Bodegnée,[1] di dekat Huy, sebagai anak keenam dari dua belas bersaudara. Ayahandanya bernama Mathieu-Joseph Gramme, merupakan wakil penerima administrasi pertambangan batu bara Antheit, tertarik pada pendidikan intelektual anak-anaknya. Zénobe Théophile menemukan mesin Gramme, sejenis dinamo arus searah yang mampu menghasilkan tegangan yang lebih...

Poland's highest military decoration AwardVirtuti MilitariWar Order of Virtuti MilitariOrder Wojenny Virtuti MilitariTypeOrderAwarded forVirtue at WarCountry PolandPresented bythe President of PolandEligibilityMilitary personnel/ Military unitsMottoHONOR I OJCZYZNA(Honor and Fatherland)StatusIn the award system but a wartime decoration onlyEstablished22 June 1792First awarded1792Last awarded1989PrecedenceNext (higher)Order of the White EagleEquivalentUnited States Medal of Honor Bri...

Cycling race 1985 Vuelta a EspañaRace detailsDates23 April – 12 MayStages19 + prologueDistance3,474 km (2,159 mi)Winning time95h 58' 00Results Winner  Pedro Delgado (ESP) (Orbea)  Second  Robert Millar (GBR) (Peugeot–Shell–Michelin)  Third  Francisco Rodríguez (COL) (Zor) Points  Sean Kelly (IRL) (Skil–Sem–Reydel) Mountains  José Luis Laguía (ESP) (Reynolds) Youth  Fabio Parra (COL) (Café de Colombi...

2001 في إيطاليامعلومات عامةالسنة 2001 2000 في إيطاليا 2002 في إيطاليا تعديل - تعديل مصدري - تعديل ويكي بيانات سنوات 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 علم إيطاليا الجدول الزمني لتاريخ إيطاليا فيما يلي قوائم الأحداث التي وقعت خلال عام 2001 في إيطاليا. أحداث 1 يناير – ماسح الأجرام القريبة من الأرض كامبو إمب...

1971 studio album by Carole KingMusicStudio album by Carole KingReleasedDecember 1971 (Also released in QS Quadraphonic)GenrePop[1]Length40:00LabelOde / A&M (Original Issue)Ode / Epic (Re-issue)ProducerLou AdlerCarole King chronology Tapestry(1971) Music(1971) Rhymes and Reasons(1972) Professional ratingsReview scoresSourceRatingAllmusic[2]Christgau's Record GuideC+[3]Rolling Stone(mixed)[1]The Village VoiceB[4] Music is the third studio alb...

Chemist Jacqui ColeJacqui Cole at Argonne National Laboratory in 2015BornJacqueline Manina ColeAlma materDurham University (BSc, PhD) University of Cambridge (PhD) Open University (BEng)AwardsRoyal Society University Research Fellowship (2001)[1]Scientific careerFieldsMolecular engineeringDye-sensitized solar cellsNon linear optical materialsPhotoisomerismOptomechanical transduction[2]InstitutionsUniversity of Cambridge University of KentThesisStructural studies of organi...

American politician (born 1930) Pat SaikiChair of the Hawaii Republican PartyIn officeMarch 19, 2014 – June 8, 2015Preceded byDavid S. ChangSucceeded byFritz Rohlfing17th Administrator of the Small Business AdministrationIn officeApril 16, 1991 – January 20, 1993PresidentGeorge H. W. BushPreceded byPaul Cooksey (acting)Succeeded byErskine Bowles (acting)Member of the U.S. House of Representativesfrom Hawaii's 1st districtIn officeJanuary 3, 1987 – ...

This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Catholic Kwandong University – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Catholic Kwandong UniversityCatholic Kwandong UniversityKorean nameHangul가톨릭관동대학교Hanja가톨릭關東大學校Revised Roma...

Natrium sulfat Nama Nama lain Sodium sulfatDinatrium sulfatThenardit (mineral anhidrat)Garam Glauber (dekahidrat)Sal mirabilis (dekahidrat)Mirabilit (mineral dekahidrat) Penanda Nomor CAS 7757-82-6 Y Model 3D (JSmol) Gambar interaktif 3DMet {{{3DMet}}} ChEBI CHEBI:32149 Y ChEMBL ChEMBL233406 Y ChemSpider 22844 Y Nomor EC PubChem CID 24436 Nomor RTECS {{{value}}} UNII 36KCS0R750 Y CompTox Dashboard (EPA) DTXSID1021291 InChI InChI=1S/2Na.H2O4S/c;;1-5(2,3)4/h;;(H2,1,2,3,...

The topic of this article may not meet Wikipedia's notability guidelines for companies and organizations. Please help to demonstrate the notability of the topic by citing reliable secondary sources that are independent of the topic and provide significant coverage of it beyond a mere trivial mention. If notability cannot be shown, the article is likely to be merged, redirected, or deleted.Find sources: Wye Valley Brewery – news · newspapers · books · scholar...

Compacto inicial y 6 iteraciones de un SIF formado por 3 aplicaciones contractivas. En la primera iteración el recuadro inicial se hace corresponder con la unión de los recuadros A, B y C. Único punto fijo de la aplicación inducida por el anterior SIF, fractal al que se conoce como triángulo de Sierpinski. Obsérvese que está formado por la unión de 3 copias de sí mismo. Un sistema iterativo de funciones (SIF o IFS acrónimo del inglés Iterated function system) es una construcción m...