Kit Downes/Nelson Veras/Ole Morten Vågan – ‘Cherries and the Martian Songbook’

A new project from ECM recording artist and award winning composer, pianist and organist Kit Downes – this time playing the piano alongside Paris-based acoustic guitarist Nelson Veras, and Norwegian bass titan Ole Morten Vågan. This acoustic trio of colourful contemporary improvisers has a strong focus on melody and interplay. The material is written by Downes, and is inspired by some of the great love songs and folk melodies from all over Europe – ranging from the Carpathian mountains, to Norwegian glaciers, to the green hills of central Italy.

British pianist and organist Kit Downes is acclaimed for his various albums on ECM Records. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists including drum and bass pioneer Squarepusher, singer-songwriter Sam Amidon, and composer Mica Levi. He has written commissions for London Contemporary Orchestra and Ensemble Klang, among many others. Ole Morten Vågan plays an important role in Scandinavian jazz as a double bassist, for example in the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra. Nelson Veras combines jazz with the classical guitar tradition and his Brazilian background.

Kit Downes piano, Nelson Veras guitar, Ole Morten Vågen double bass