MIKE DOWNES / TEVET SELA
NEW ALBUM - ‘DOWNES / SELA DUO‘
EN:
Bassist Mike Downes and saxophonist Tevet Sela join forces in an intimate duo setting that highlights the unique timbre of acoustic bass and alto saxophone, deep musical communication, rhythmic elasticity and spontaneous interplay. At the core of the collaboration are song-oriented original compositions that move effortlessly between modern jazz, lyrical ballads and groove-oriented pieces, offering a wide range of moods and colours.
With no harmonic or rhythmic safety net, the music thrives on trust, listening, and shared risk. The result is raw and direct. Downes’ resonant bass lines and sophisticated rhythmic language form a flexible foundation, while Sela’s expressive saxophone voice weaves melodic narratives that balance structure and freedom. Together they bring listeners into musical conversations that are adventurous, spontaneous and full of personality.
FR:
Le bassiste Mike Downes et le saxophoniste Tevet Sela unissent leurs forces dans un duo intimiste qui met en valeur le timbre unique de la contrebasse et du saxophone alto, une communication musicale profonde, une souplesse rythmique et une interaction spontanée. Au cœur de leur collaboration se trouvent des compositions originales axées sur la chanson, qui naviguent avec aisance entre jazz moderne, ballades lyriques et morceaux rythmés, offrant une large palette d’ambiances et de couleurs.
Sans filet harmonique ni rythmique, leur musique s’épanouit grâce à la confiance, l’écoute et la prise de risques partagée. Le résultat est brut et direct. Les lignes de basse profondes et le langage rythmique sophistiqué de Downes forment une base flexible, tandis que le saxophone expressif de Sela tisse des récits mélodiques qui équilibrent structure et liberté. Ensemble, ils invitent l’auditeur à des conversations musicales audacieuses, spontanées et pleines de personnalité.
PRESS
Tevet Sela:
“His music gives a new meaning to the word “original”. The reason for this is Mr Sela is, first and foremost, a storyteller who forms musical narratives based on ideas rather than melodic hooks and gratuitous gestures”.
Raul De Gama, That Canadian Magazine
“A beautiful alto sound to be savored slowly, with a precision that sides the quality of his compositions“
Christophe Rodriguez, SortiesJazzNights.com
“An intriguing concert for all who love innovative and exciting jazz … Tevet Sela Quartet presents an intelligent and skillful mix of classical harmonies with a Klezmer influence and North-African rhythms... “
Time Out Magazine
Mike Downes:
“Mike’s time playing is delightfully inventive and his intonation is absolutely impeccable…his lines are clear, hip, and agile. His technique and intonation are extraordinary.”
Kim Richmond, Jazz Player Magazine
“Virtuoso solo bassist Mike Downes delighted the hall: on this seemingly ‘heavy-handed‘ tool it is only possible in the performance of the greatest masters. Mike is definitely one of them.”
Trud Journal
“Mike Downes’s musicality is never in question.”
Geoff Chapman, Toronto Star
BOOKING
Mike Downes
mike@mikedownes.com
Tevet Sela
tevetsela@gmail.com
T +1.514.566.5933