Kit Downes' career as a jazz musician has, indeed, taken off in a very short time. He's still in his mid-20s, but such is his talent and appetite for music that Downes has become one of the most sought-after keyboardist in Britain, and he's a key presence in a series of cutting-edge bands, with The Golden Age Of Steam, Troyka, Big Cat and his own Kit Downes Trio all springing readily to mind.
While the intelligent but unassuming musician has seen his reputation extend across the jazz scene, in the weeks leading up to this interview he was also coming to terms with the attention of the wider British media, as the Kit Downes Trio's debut—Golden (Basho Records, 2009)—was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize. The prize is one of Britain's top music awards, selecting a winning album from a shortlist of 12 nominated recordings, all by British or Irish acts but culled from any genre of music.
AAJ Contributor Bruce Lindsay spoke with Downes about the impact of the Mercury nomination, dealing with tabloid journalism and the forthcoming follow-up to Golden.
Check out Kit Downes: You Have to Be What You Are at All About Jazz today!
While the intelligent but unassuming musician has seen his reputation extend across the jazz scene, in the weeks leading up to this interview he was also coming to terms with the attention of the wider British media, as the Kit Downes Trio's debut—Golden (Basho Records, 2009)—was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Music Prize. The prize is one of Britain's top music awards, selecting a winning album from a shortlist of 12 nominated recordings, all by British or Irish acts but culled from any genre of music.
AAJ Contributor Bruce Lindsay spoke with Downes about the impact of the Mercury nomination, dealing with tabloid journalism and the forthcoming follow-up to Golden.
Check out Kit Downes: You Have to Be What You Are at All About Jazz today!
For more information contact All About Jazz.
