Joe Downard on musical influences and lockdown life
Bassist and bandleader Joe Downard is a crucial component in many of the UK’s top rhythm sections. His debut album was described as ‘truly impressive’ by fellow bassist Jasper Høiby of Phronesis and Malija renown, and its remix follow-up distills his passion for electronic music and new textures in jazz. Ahead of Joe’s performance for NQ Jazz at The Yard on Monday 2nd August, we recently asked him six questions, covering the twelve months from April 2020 to April 2021, his favourite artists, and perceptions of the music industry.
Q. What are you most looking forward to about the return of live music?
Definitely just being able to play to a live audience again! I have been playing, rehearsing and recording over lockdown, but I am just so excited for that feeling of playing to others and seeing how they respond to the music!
Q. What can audiences expect from your NQ Jazz performance?
We will be making up for the past year that we lost and so we will be playing music from my debut album Seven Japanese Tales. The music features a range of moods and dynamics supported by soundscapes, analogue electronics and acoustic sextet taking inspiration from some of my favourite music, ranging from Radiohead and James Blake through Messiaen and Ambrose Akinmusire.
Q. What has kept you busy during the last 12 months?
Practise, writing, releasing my first album, releasing a remix EP, home recording, teaching, cooking (mainly experimenting with making sourdough bread), playing golf and of course looking after my beautiful wife as we are expecting a baby. Yay!
Q. Has your musical perspective or perception of the industry changed over the past year?
Hmmm, not really to be honest. My career has always been centred around playing live and there have been so many great examples of venues and music organisations coming up with new and creative ideas for musicians to perform. Just making best of a bad situation really. So if anything my perception of it has got better I knowing that there are still venues out there that even in the toughest of times will always be there to champion live and original music! I just cant wait to get back on a stage!
Q. Who has had a significant influence on your music?
Well this album Seven Japanese Tales was heavily influenced by the music of Ambrose Akinmusire and having spent time studying with him, Jasper Høiby really inspired me over the past few years as a bassist releasing an album.
Q. What music are you listening to at the moment?
Hmmm, well ones that are on repeat at the mo are:
Monk - live at the It Club, Foals - Collected reworks, Betty Carter - Social Call, Antonio Loureiro - Livre, Benny Golson & The Philadelphians – Benny Golson & The Philadelphians, Mcoy Tyner - Today and Tomorrow.