Tony Kofi Quartet Plays Monk (Album Launch)
Nearly twenty years after saxophonist Tony Kofi & his Quartet recorded their first CD showcasing their peerless interpretations of the music of Thelonious Monk, a 2 LP vinyl edition was re-released this December (along with an updated version of the CD). When it was first issued in 2005, the record immediately won the prestigious BBC Jazz Award for “Album of the Year” heralding Tony’s arrival as a fully formed soloist and bandleader.
Tony first came to prominence in the 1990’s as a member of The Jazz Warriors and Gary Cosby’s Nu Troop. Subsequently, he played with Billy Higgins, Clifford Jarvis, Courtney Pine and David Murray’s iconic US band the World Saxophone Quartet (the first UK born musician in the group). And, in addition to multiple BBC Jazz Awards, he’s also a Parliamentary Jazz Award winner and a MOBO nominee.
To celebrate the re-issue, the original quartet of Tony Kofi, Jonathan Gee, Ben Hazleton and Winston Clifford will be performing a whole evening of Monk’s compositions featuring tracks from the album at this 606 show. Due to the packed schedules of these four world-class musicians, they only play together occasionally, so don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the full force of this extraordinary group!
“Tony Kofi’s full-bodied sound, clear articulation and committed attack carry the immediacy and impact of the established masters of the jazz saxophone...his improvisations.....tell stories and have emotional purpose” Financial Times;“There is so much respect in jazz circles for Tony Kofi” Jazzwise; “[Gee] a performer of flexibility, resourcefulness and technical command to rival any of his generation” Guardian