Joe Downard 'seven Japanese Tales' at The Yard

Seven Japanese Tales is the debut album from bassist and composer Joe Downard. The album was written as a suite comprising 7 pieces inspired by seven short stories by writer Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) featured in Seven Japanese Tales. The music features a range of moods and dynamics supported by soundscapes, analogue electronics and acoustic sextet. These elements are then complimented through strong melody and improvisation. Downard became inspired by the very lyrical, deep and sensual meanings behind these seven stories which, although being short, packed a punch of emotions: anger, love, humour and wit. ...

read more

Seven Japanese Tales is the debut album from bassist and composer Joe Downard. The album was written as a suite comprising 7 pieces inspired by seven short stories by writer Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965) featured in Seven Japanese Tales. The music features a range of moods and dynamics supported by soundscapes, analogue electronics and acoustic sextet. These elements are then complimented through strong melody and improvisation. Downard became inspired by the very lyrical, deep and sensual meanings behind these seven stories which, although being short, packed a punch of emotions: anger, love, humour and wit.

Besides the conceptual take from Seven Japanese Tales book, the music takes inspiration on some of Downard’s favourite music, ranging from Radiohead and James Blake through Messiaen and Ambrose Akinmusire. The compositional process of this album was, in part, collaborative: through improvisation and re-writing, the material evolved to its final version. That’s why the musicians in the band are a big part of the project itself. The line-up moves away from the traditional jazz sextet by introducing multiple synthesisers. The distinctiveness of the three melody instruments (trumpet, saxophone and synth) complements the intense push and pull between drums and bass that keeps the music full of momentum.

Seven Japanese Tales features six of the most creative and inventive young musicians in London and Europe, each with a distinctive and virtuosic improvisational voice and noted in their own right as composers and bandleaders. Alongside Downard, the group features Alex Hitchcock on tenor sax , James Copus on trumpet, Will Barry on piano , Rupert Cox on synths and Felix Ambach on drums.

'Anyone who doubts there’s a UK jazz scene worth taking note of should listen to Joe Downard's album. A truly impressive debut.’ — Jasper Høiby

show less