Tony Kofi

b. 1966, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Britain. Blessed to Ghanaian parents, Kofi became thinking about music and in his teenagers taught himself to try out the alto saxophone. Viewing an advert for some free of charge jazz workshops getting operate by Leicester-based drummer Nick Hislam sparked his curiosity about jazz. Kofi examined intensively, eventually earning a full-time scholarship or grant towards the Berklee University Of Music, which he went to from 1988-90 and where his tutors included Billy Pierce, Donald Byrd, Ernie W, and Ralph Moore. Back the united kingdom in 1991, Kofi used the Jazz Warriors and Gary Crosby’s Nu-troup. Through all of those other 90s Kofi used many jazz luminaries, including Julian Argüelles, Claude Deppa, Billy Higgins, Andrew Hill, Branford Marsalis, David Murray, Courtney Pine, Tim Richards, Lonnie Smith and Us3. Furthermore to alto, Kofi became proficient on baritone and soprano saxophones. In the first 00s, he teamed up with trumpeter Byron Wallen for several tasks including a quartet, Indigo, which will pay tribute to former masters from the baritone saxophone. With Wallen, Kofi provides create jazz workshops and lessons and the set also collaborated on composing and composing a jazz theory reserve. Over time since meeting Adam Weaver, a pal of Thelonious Monk, Kofi created a deep and passionate like for Monk’s music which formed the bottom for a number of departures. He shaped a quartet, sketching its repertoire from Monk’s compositions, with 2003’s London Jazz Event 70 such items were performed inside a marathon six-hour arranged. Kofi’s regular quartet sidemen consist of pianist Jonathan Gee, bass participant Ben Hazleton, drummer Winston Clifford, occasionally adding vibraphonist Orphy Robinson. Kofi’s Monk: All Can be Understand was nominated as Jazz Recording Of THE ENTIRE YEAR within the 2005 BBC Jazz Honours and drew ecstatic evaluations through the jazz press. Kofi in addition has been an associate of Lucky Ranku’s African All Celebrities, and it has led his very own 10-piece music group, the Afro Jazz Family members.