Wedding Music

Recorded over 3 days in the summer of 2012 in Huddersfield University’s St Paul's Church (a space renowned for its acoustic qualities), the album is a selection of some of the music developed in residency. What emerges is an innovative yet melodic collection of improvised pieces that house sharply contrasting dynamics, microtonal nuances, and improvisational rapport that constantly engages and surprises. The quality of the recording here (there is an option to download this music at 24bit) lets the listener 'into' the space Downes and Challenger created this music in, experiencing the saxophone and organ at a proximity rarely heard.
Since the album, they have gone on to perform at the Royal Festival Hall (as part of the 'Pull Out the Stops' Festival - welcoming the return of the newly-refurbished organ), Cafe Oto (as part of 'Klammer Klang') and the London Contemporary Music Festival 2014 - as well as several live broadcasts for BBC Radio 3.

From October 2014, Wedding Music will be part of Aldeburgh Music's 'Open Space' Residency Programme - a project that will see them travelling to different local churches in Suffolk, investigating acoustics, and different approaches to the different organs they find. Culminating in a recording and a series of concerts. They will also be recording a new album with guest - Norwegian guitarist Stian Westerhus in 2015.