Pete Downes

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Primary Instrument: Guitar

PD3 The Pete Downes Trio

Biography by Gordon Moore

Pete Downes is one of those incredible talents that only surfaces once in a blue moon. Completely self taught, he is rapidly becoming one of Europe's leading guitarists in the modern jazz fusion genre. Already established on the jazz scene in the UK and Italy with a string of regular appearances culminating with a packed audience at Glastonbury Festival where they played the Jazz Lounge.

With influences that cover such a wide spectrum as Pat Metheny to Jimi Hendrix their first album “Street Scene” caught the attention of Jazzwise, Jazz FM and critic praise from The Guardian, The Observer and many other Radio Stations and newspapers. The eagerly awaited follow up album “Into The Blue.” is a further step on the road to a wider audience. On this album PD3 blend their infectious original compositions with totally fresh and inspired versions of popular songs from the 70s to present day in a way that simply underlines the incredible versatility of the trio and the ease in which they can provide assessable jazz routed music to a much wider audience.

“Into The Blue” is the result of a year's hard work, choosing material, re- arranging and performing them live to test the reactions of audience and critics. Now they believe they have a complete album. Not just a showcase of musical talent, but a complete work that takes the listener on a journey into the sound of PD3.

Recorded virtually live at various locations around Europe and produced by Pete himself, this album is their finest work to date both musically and spiritually. The interaction between the three players is superb with each allowing the others their own space within each track to use their instruments to the fullest potential.

Andy Coe's extreme and unique bass playing not only providing a solid back line, but pulsing through on solos and driving the tracks along to Tim Bruce's meticulous drumming. Pete Downes' guitar work is unrivalled, but never over the top or self indulgent. He is a master of understatement and delicate phrasing, but when the track requires power, he's there adding just the right amount of weight so as not to overpower or derail the beauty of the track.

“Into The Blue” WPCD0002 is released on 23 November through this site and will be available in all good record shops via New Note distrubution from January 2005.

“There are many so-called stars who won't release a more refreshing album” Andy Robson (Jazzwise)

“How many current jazz compositions can you name that are still humming uncontrollably in your head long after the CD has stopped” Selwyn Harris (Jazzwise)

Last Updated: May 19, 2009

”From moment to moment (Downes') evocations leap from hairy rock-tinged John Scofield (Killer Joe), to howling Hendrix (Straight No Chaser) to rhapsodic- acoustic Ralph Towner (View in Blue). ”His alert comping enables Pearce's trumpet to really stretch out over Coe and Bruce's beats. Jack Massarik: Jazzwise

Sounding both relaxed and contemporary simultaneously. PD3 are well versed in the art of collective improvisation and seamlessly interwoven lines. Derek Ansell: Jazz Journal International

As a Leader

Mystery of Weather
Wiser Productions
2009
Tracks: Track; Track.
Personnel: Pete Downes: guitar, bass keyboards. Steve Littler: guitar. Tim Bruce: drums.

For other recordings please visit my website

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Primary Instrument:
Guitar

Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.

Gibson CS-356, Roland Cube 20x (slaved through Mackie pa speaker for live work). Marshall Vintage modern 2266c. Hughes & Kettner Tubeman.

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