Kit Downes Trio

Jez Nelson presents hotly tipped pianist Kit Downes's trio, with drummer James Maddren and Calum Gourlay on double bass, recorded at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival in May. Downes is a versatile player who, as part of a wave of twenty-something British musicians, has spent the past few years exploring new directions in jazz. Last heard on Jazz On 3 a few weeks ago playing organ in avant-blues-rock trio Troyka, he's also a member of the dark and explosive Golden Age of Steam. As a classic piano, bass and drums trio, Downes's own group makes more obvious reference to the jazz tradition than either of the above, but the group's sound looks forwards as well as back, and showcases Kit's voice as both a distinctive contemporary composer and an economical and thoughtful improviser.

Presenter: Jez Nelson
Producers: Robert Abel & Peggy Sutton.