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Tony Kofi
@ the Spitz
11 November 2006
Biography
Tony Kofi was born in Nottingham to West African parents. His musical
journey began after attending a series of workshops in Leicester,
run by Nick Hislam.
After receiving a full scholarship, Kofi attended the legendary
Berkley College of Music in Boston Mass, USA. Here he would share
invaluable experience with the likes of Ernie Watts, Andy Magee
and Billy Pierce.
Kofi was a member of the UK’s Jazz Warriors from 1991, he
also played a vital role in Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop. Kofi continued
to impress critics, fans and fellow musicians throughout the 1990’s
with his hard work ethic. Acclaim would come from many sources.
The list of musicians he has performed, or shared a stage with is
impressive:
Branford Marsalis, Billy Higgins,Claude Deppa’s A.J.E &
Horns Unlimited, Byron Wallen’s Indigo, Clifford Jarvis, Courtney
Pine, Cheikh Tidiane Fall Quintet, Digable Planets, Donald Byrd,
Dr Lonnie Smith, Eddie Henderson, Jean Toussaint big band, Julian
Joseph big band, Jazz Jamaica all stars, Jullian Arguelles, Queen
Latifah, Salt’n Pepper, Ralph Moore, The David Murray Big
Band, Us-3, The Township Express Orchestra, Tim Richards’
Great Spirit, The Grand Union orchestra, Andrew Hill’s Anglo-American
Big Band, Sam Rivers Rivbea orchestra, and Lucky Ranku’s African
jazz all stars.
As well as the above achievements, Kofi has composed music and
performed with The Kofi Trio, the Afro Jazz Family (a ten-piece
group) and the World Saxophone Quartet. Since 2000, Kofi has worked
with Jonathon Gee, Ben Hazleton, and Winston Clifford with featured
artist, Orphy Robinson (vibes & Marimba). The result is an acclaimed
collection of Thelonious Monk compositions, all 70 of which were
performed in a marathon 6 hour set at the 2003 London Jazz Festival.
The Quartet’s album “All is know” received the
2005 Jazz Parliamentary award, as well as the 2005 BBC Jazz award
for best ensemble & best album.
The most recent Tony Kofi Trio + 1 consists of Tony Kofi (saxophones)
Byron Wallen (trumpet) Anders Olinder Ob B3 Hammond Organ and Winston
Clifford on drums. This group also augments into a six-piece band
including Robert Fordjour (drums) Cameron Pierre (guitar) and Donald
Gamble (percussion).
Musicians:
Tony Kofi – soprano / tenor & baritone saxophones
Byron Wallen – trumpet
Andrew Noble – keyboard
Winston Clifford – drums
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.
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