Quiet Tiger

Quiet Tiger is the second album from BBC award-winning, 24-year-old pianist/composer Kit Downes, and the follow-up to his Mercury Prize-nominated debut album Golden.

Downes is one of the most brilliant musicians of his generation. A gifted composer and sparkling improviser, he brings an understated verve and earthy brilliance to the music. Inspired by artists as diverse as Bill Frisell, Bartok, Skip James, Paul Bley, and Bjork, as well as singer-songwriters Elliot Smith and Nick Drake, his compositions have a cinematic, storytelling quality that draws the listener in.

Quiet Tiger is aptly titled, capturing the gentle charisma of Downes' playing and his thoughtful brilliance. Darker and more textured than its predecessor, Quiet Tiger again features the Kit Downes Trio - bassist Calum Gourlay, drummer James Maddren - as well as special guests Adrien Dennefeld on cello and James Allsopp on tenor saxophone and bass-clarinet.

The rapport between the trio is clear (they've been playing together for six years now), but the extra voicings really bring Downes' music into focus, expanding his musical palate with a richer, deeper, more expressive sound that perfectly complements his evocative narratives and explosive improvisational journeys.