Ubuntu Music is delighted to announce the signing of gifted bassist Joe Downard, for the worldwide release of his debut album, ‘Seven Japanese Tales’, on 12th June 2020.

As one of the most in demand bassists in the UK, Joe Downard is widely recognised for his skills as a performer and improvisor. He is a crucial component to a number of the UK’s top rhythm sections that range from modern contemporary jazz and soul to electronic and west African music. Joe is regularly seen in these groups touring the UK and Europe.

Predominantly an electric bass player in his early years, Joe made the move to London to focus on the upright bass in jazz and soon immersed himself within the scene, notably in the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Shortly after joining the Orchestra, Joe became the chair holder for NYJO and retained the position for four years. During his time with the band, Joe recorded two highly acclaimed studio albums, toured extensively and performed with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Centre, Gregory Porter and some of the top UK jazz instrumentalists.

Residing in London, Joe has been a part of many groups that are making great waves in the current scene. The Alex Hitchcock Quintet is an exciting and eclectic group of London’s finest instrumentalists and continues to live up to their reputation on the international jazz stage. In a breakthrough year in 2018, a 15-date nationwide tour of their acclaimed debut EP was followed by a sold-out launch at Pizza Express Jazz Club in London and performances at Ronnie Scott's and the Love Supreme Jazz Festival.

Joe also shows impressive flexibility and stylistic awareness as an integral part of the band Waaju, who seek to encapsulate the influence from a number of cultures across Africa, South America and beyond, diving deep into the heritage of these musical cultures, while leaving behind any preconceptions and promoting forces largely unexplored in a Western context.

As well as being deeply rooted in the blues and jazz tradition, Joe can also be heard in LONO who describe themselves as “strange, funky, orchestral and analog”. LONO are a group of studio musicians who collaborate with artists to create music within the electronic genre but also work with filmmakers and photographers. They have been play-listed by BBC Radio 1Xtra and Worldwide FM. The most recent work from LONO can be heard on Joe’s debut release ‘Seven Japanese Tales’.

Joe has received much recognition for his contribution to the music scene he thrives in today, with accolades such as being named “One to Watch” in Bass Guitar Magazine, The Worshipful Company of Musicians ‘Jazz Musician of The Year’ finalist and, most recently, the recipient of the Sir Elton John Scholarship to attend the masters course at The Royal Academy of Music. The March edition of Jazzwise Magazine profiled Joe in their ‘Taking Off’ feature on the hottest young artists in jazz.

In 2019, the Joe Downard Sextet was born, which features Joe’s original compositions and some of the finest jazz musicians in Europe. Their first project, ‘Seven Japanese Tales’, will be released on 12th June worldwide, on the Ubuntu Music record label. Joe describes the project: “This is a suite of music named and inspired by a collection of short stories by the great 20th -century Japanese writer Jun'ichirō Tanizaki. Narratives and characters are expressed through interweaving melodies that echo both within individual pieces and improvised passages, and throughout the music as a whole, creating a thread for the listener to follow over the course of the suite. I have moved away from the traditional sextet lineup by introducing multiple synthesizers, which ground the compositions firmly in a contemporary soundscape and opens up exciting textural possibilities, both live and in a future recording environment. 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. I’m absolutely delighted that Alex Hitchcock (tenor), James Copus (trumpet), Will Barry (piano), Rupert Cox (synthesizers) and Felix Ambach (drums) have joined me on this exceptional project.”

Joe continues, in describing his new relationship with Ubuntu Music: “I am incredibly happy to announce signing with Ubuntu Music for my debut release. I am really excited to be working with a label that is so passionate about promoting new music and rising talent. Most importantly, it feels great to be in good company at this label, amongst friends and others that I have a musical connection with.”

Martin Hummel, Director of Ubuntu Music, concludes, saying, “Joe is a part of a dynamic new breed of amazing jazz talent in this country. His repertoire is diverse, and his playing is consistently brilliant. ‘Seven Japanese Tales’ demonstrates just how good Joe is, as a composer, arranger and as an artist. Combined with seriously talented musicians, you know this will be a special release. We are so happy to have Joe join us with this highly unique and compelling project.”

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