Pianist Kit Downes is touring Ireland next week taking in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Kilkenny, and the McHughs Jazz Festival in Belfast. The tour begins on 9 September. Downes first surfaced on Empirical’s self-titled album in 2007, has been Mercury-nominated for his Golden trio’s album, and even found himself at the heart of the burgeoning prog-jazz movement playing futuristic organ with groundbreaking Allan Holdsworth-influenced trio Troyka, as well as recording with Dublin band ReDiviDer. The band Downes is appearing in on tour is one he co-leads with bassist Cormac O’Brien of the Dublin City Jazz Orchestra. Michael Buckley is on saxophone, and Shane O’Donovan, known for his work with Louis Stewart, drums.
Kit Downes, above