Kit Downes and Bill Frisell: Legendary Musicians Bring World Premiere to Northrop

One of the “most outstanding British improvisers of his generation,” Kit Downes collaborates with musicians, writers, and artists from across the creative spectrum, on piano, church organ, and harmonium. In this video, Downes says playing three different historic English church organs “feels like a sort of time travel somehow.” He is a member of several bands, including critically acclaimed group ENEMY, which plays fierce and dense harmonic music; and the forward-thinking jazz trio known as Deadeye, whose sound encapsulates jazz, rock, traditional British folk, and 20th-century classical music. For his concert at Northrop, Downes will once again band together with musical legends, and explore the sonic might of another historic organ—Northrop’s own Aeolian-Skinner.

Bill Frisell is a quiet giant in American music. Often described as an “anti-archetype guitar hero,” he is the subject of an extensive biography by Philip Watson, Beautiful Dreamer, The Guitarist Who Changed the Sound of American Music, and the focus of the documentary Bill Frisell: A Portrait, which provides a unique insight into the life of this beloved artist. The film recounts the influences and ideas that have shaped Frisell’s artistry through brilliant live music and intimate stories from his friends and admirers. His collaborators have included Charles Lloyd, Jim Hall, Paul Motian, Ron Carter, and many others. Watch Bill Frisell: A Portrait to learn more about the illustrious musician to prepare for the world premiere of his collaboration with Downes, Southern Bodies.

Southern Bodies will feature members of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO), including Eunice Kim on violin, Richard Belcher on cello, and Daniel Orsen on viola. Described by Twin Cities Arts as “one of Minnesota’s pre-eminent music ensembles,” the highly acclaimed SPCO delivers more than 80 concerts per season. Violinist Eunice Kim is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area and has been described as "just superb" by The New York Times. In addition to performing, Orsen teaches viola and chamber music at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. New Zealand cellist Richard Belcher joined SPCO in 2019 and was the founding cellist of the Grammy-nominated Ensō String Quartet.

The United Kingdom recognizes Downes as a premiere British talent. Downes was the winner of the 2008 Rising Star BBC Jazz Award, where he was deemed to be “carving out a reputation as a name to watch.” Proving itself to be a prophetic review, Downes has certainly created a legacy for himself in jazz, blending modern improvisation techniques with classical orchestrations. Downes also holds a fellowship at the Royal Academy of Music, a 200-year-old musical education institution in London. Rooted in their dedication to inspire and educate ascendent generations of musicians, the Royal Academy of Music brings together artists from more than 60 countries worldwide. Along with his fellowship, Downes is a proud alumnus of the Academy.

Frisell has received the honors of “Guitarist of the Year” numerous times from both Downbeat and the Jazz Journalists Association. Recognized as one of America’s 21 most vital and productive performing artists, Frisell was named an inaugural Doris Duke Artist in 2012. He is also a recipient of grants from United States Artists and Meet the Composer, among others. From 2013-15, Bill was Resident Artistic Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center for their Roots of Americana series, and in 2016, he was a beneficiary of the first FreshGrass Composition Commission to preserve and support innovative grassroots music. Upon San Francisco Jazz opening their doors in 2013, he served as one of their Resident Artistic Directors. He has also received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. Clearly Frisell has left his mark on the state of jazz today.