THOM JUREK writes ...
Vermillion is the third ECM leader date by classically trained British pianist and organist Kit Downes. He began his tenure with the label on 2018's Obsidian, a collection of mostly solo pieces recorded in churches on pipe organs. His follow-up, 2019's Dreamlife of Debris, showcased him playing piano and organ in a quintet setting that included guitarist Stian Westerhus, drummer Seb Rochford, cellist Lucy Railton, and saxophonist Tom Challenger. Vermillion reveals Downes in yet another setting, a jazz piano trio with Swedish bassist Petter Eldh and English drummer James Maddren. This group also recorded Enemy together for Edition in 2018.
