Kevin Figes

Kevin Figes began studying saxophone with Elton Dean and later attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with Tim Garland. He had a notable association performing and recording with Keith Tippett.

Since 2007 Figes has composed and produced many well-received recordings with his own jazz quartet. Recent work includes ‘Changing Times’ (2020) by the Kevin Figes Quartet, which was described as ‘A mind-expanding feast for the ears’ and received a 4* review from Dave Gelly in The Guardian, and ‘Wallpaper Music’ (2021) (with the addition of Brigitte Beraha on vocals) which was described as ‘A kaleidoscopic blizzard’ by John Fordham in his 4* review for Jazzwise.

Other projects included 4 Sided Triangle (with Mike Outram), an Octet and the 15 piece big band ‘Resonation’. Figes has played at Ronnie Scott’s with Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley, Bobby Shew and Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band, of which he is a member. He has also performed on the Park stage at Glastonbury with the music of Barry Gray and major festivals with This Is The Kit. His own quartet have performed nationally and broadcast live from Glastonbury Festival on Radio 3.

In 2021 Figes was musical director of a series of concerts celebrating the life of Keith Tippett. Recent projects include ‘Wallpaper Music II’, duo albums with Paul Dunmall and Julie Tippetts and the formation of ‘You Are Here’, a group playing the music of Keith Tippett and his comrades. Currently he is working on an Arts Council funded project for large ensemble based on Italian serialists of the 20th century.