Tony Kofi & the Organisation
Described by BBC Music Magazine as “…exciting, foot-tapping, expressive without neglecting jazz’s more cerebral pleasures”, the origins of The Organisation go back over a decade to guitarist Simon Fernsby’s ‘Manhattan Project’ sessions in South London in the 2000’s. Augmented by drummer Pete Cater (Charlie Byrd, Tom Jones) and organist Pete Whittaker (John Etheridge’s Blue Spirits Organ Trio, The Filthy Six), they became known for their no-nonsense hard-hitting style. After a chance meeting with Tony Kofi on a gig in 2010, a quartet was born, combining both the bluesy, soul jazz side of the Hammond repertoire with post bop modern jazz. A member of the Jazz Warriors and Gary Cosby’s Nu Troop, saxophonist Kofi’s awards include the 2005 Parliamentary Jazz Awards - Best Ensemble, Radio 3 Jazz line up album of the year 2005 and 2008 BBC Jazz Awards - Best Instrumentalist as well as also being nominated for a MOBO in 2008. He has worked with a diverse roster of artists including the World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Julian Joseph Big Band, Ornette Coleman and Harry Connick Jr. and his various ensembles include his tribute to Cannonball Adderley and his “Future Passed” Trio. Tonight the band, featuring Tony on baritone sax, will play music from their album “Point Blank”, with tunes by McCoy Tyner, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Pat Martino, Wes Montgomery, Woody Shaw and other greats.
“The sight of Tony Kofi picking up baritone sax never fails to produce a tremor of excitement” London Jazz News; “Tony Kofi’s full-bodied sound, clear articulation and committed attack carry the immediacy and impact of the established masters of the jazz saxophone” Financial Times; "A killer band with real bite" Jazzwise