K15

K15 is a United Kingdom-based producer associated with house, deep house, soul and hip hop, and his sound is described through references to jazz, ambient, neo-soul and nu-jazz influences. He begins making music under the name K15 in 2006, after earlier years of playing piano and saxophone, collecting jungle records, and learning to DJ. His musical development also moves through house and garage, and his interest in how music affects listeners becomes a central part of his work.

Early musical background

Before adopting the K15 name, he is known as Kieron Ifill. As a child, he experiments with percussion by drumming on pots and pans, then studies piano and saxophone. In his teenage years, he becomes interested in jungle music, builds a record collection and starts disc jockeying. He later moves into house and garage culture, then turns towards a wider range of black music and jazz-derived styles after hearing artists including 4hero, Miles Davis, Curtis Mayfield, Jay Dee and Jazzanova.

Recorded work and collaborations

After beginning to make his own music with Reason and an MPC 2000xl, K15 develops a signature style described as celestial and jazz-ambient. His debut EP, Theme Music For A Pariah, is released on WotNot Music in London. The following year he releases Umbra on Amsterdam label INI Movement. In 2013 he works as producer on Lapwing, the debut EP by London vocalist Belle, and also releases the two-track Insecurities EP independently as a house-focused record.

Other activity

K15 also holds a long-running residency at London’s Jazz Café and presents a radio show.