Friday Lunch: Kit Downes

Enter a broad church of jazz at a live performance of organ experimentations from pianist and composer Kit Downes, with special guest Tom Challenger.

With a background as a church organist, Downes brings a spirit of improvisation to an instrument steeped in history and tradition – a tradition that he loves but is seeking to explore and abstract.

Downes explores the sonic possibilities and idiosyncrasies of the instrument in both melodic and textural improvisations and compositions.

Amongst other accolades, Downes has received a Mercury Music Award nomination, a BBC Jazz Award and a British Jazz Award.

Tom Challenger is a saxophonist, composer and educator. He collaborates regularly with Kit Downes and co-leads the trio Uncanny Valley with Phil Donkin and Oli Steidle; Fofoulah, with whom he recently produced their second LP; and Dice Factory. He also currently collaborates with Lauren Kinsella, Charles Hayward, Hello Skinny, P.A. Tremblay and Agile Experiments.

Performers

Kit Downes organ
Tom Challenger saxophone