Multiple JUNO award winner Mike Downes has been a prominent fixture both within the Canadian music scene and abroad, praised for his limitless versatility, seemingly effortless technique and uniquely melodic approach to the bass. Mike is not only an award-winning jazz bassist, but is recognized as a complete musician, equally masterful as a composer, arranger and educator. Check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, follow him on social media and check out more on this site. 
“One of my favorite bass players” Pat Metheny
"As gifted a composer as he is a bassist" International Society of Bassists
“This bass ace is incapable of letting you down” Midwest Record
“Root Structure” explores lyrical compositions with a deep underlying structural integrity. 5/5 - This album is as close to perfect as it is possible to get and fully warrants its rating here." Alan Musson, UK Vibe
“One of the most intriguing and innovative small group jazz recordings of the year” Lesley Mitchell-Clarke, theWholeNote
"Mike’s time playing is delightfully inventive...his lines are clear, hip, and agile. His technique and intonation are extraordinary" Kim Richmond, Jazz Player Magazine
“Downes' playing is marked by an unerring and versatile technique, the kind of bass playing that's never static yet nevertheless establishes a firm foundation” Textura
THE WAY IN is Mike's latest recording as a leader, featuring Robi Botos on keyboards, Ted Quinlan on electric and acoustic guitars and guest percussionists Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo and Davide DiRenzo!
Physical CDs available on this site - Shop menu
CD and digital version on Bandcamp - https://mikedownes.bandcamp.com/album/the-way-in
Generally the mood throughout the album displays a tight and hugely enjoyable trio with a unified sense of direction. This is mature, subtly complex and always entertaining music. ★★★★½ out of five. Keith Black – Winnipeg Free Press
Downes is, among many other things, versatile, someone as comfortable performing solo as composing and arranging for a large ensemble… In fashioning his own version of the drummer-less trio recording, he aspired to create one “where all of the nuances are front and centre and the music breathes in a different way.” Consider said goals resoundingly met. Ron Schepper – Textura
Titles referencing geographic points and non-sectarian spiritual concepts frame the dozen tracks not so much as programmatic music as episodic. Those episodes culminate in a nearly cinematic way to complete a musical journey ending in a way that satisfies in and of itself yet can leave a listener wondering what Downes could do again helming a similarly semi-unorthodox combo. Here's hoping there won't be very long a wait to find out. Jamie Lee Rake – Shepherd Express
There are albums that leave a mark on you from the very first track, leaving a familiar imprint, and that’s what happens with this album. Mike Downes, a composer and double bassist, has a serious melodic sense and offers particularly luxurious and well-thought-out arrangements here… Mike Downes, offering beautiful landscapes to his fellow musicians here, undoubtedly provokes, at times, a form of contemplation for the listener. Elegance exists in music, and that’s the case with every track on this well-thought-out album, which provides both listening pleasure and intellectual stimulation. Thierry de Clemensat – Paris Move
This is essential listening. David Reed – Belleville Intelligencer
The Way In is a rich, fluid, meditative soundscape that encourages creative thought and soulful contemplation. Highly recommended… Midwest Book Review
The self-released and self-produced new gem by Toronto composer/arranger/bassist Mike Downes, The Way In, has 12 originals with guitar and keyboards. Downes has released solo bass, trio, quartet, and 11-piece ensemble recordings. Something new is revealed with each listen. Bravo! Mike Greenblatt - The Aquarian Weekly
LATEST NEWS: Mike was deeply honoured this year to be commissioned to create arrangements of the great Oscar Peterson's Trail of Dreams: A Canadian Suite for symphony orchestra and jazz quartet. The world premiere was in Osaka, Japan at World Expo in June, 2025 and more concerts are coming!