"…Bzhezhinska shares with Alice (Coltrane) a mastery of the jazz harp.” The Times
“There is so much respect in jazz circles for Tony Kofi.” Jazzwise
Alina Bzhezhinska and a crack team of international musicians recreate Coltrane’s spiritual recordings, Journey in Satchidananda and Eternity, Ashby’s innovative album, Afro-Harping alongside Bzhezhinska’s original compositions. Bzhezhinska creates a unique sound on the harp with effect pedals and electronics. Well known for her innovative programs, this time she is featuring the legendary British saxophonist Tony Kofi, supported by Mikele Montolli (bass) & Joel Prime (drums/ percussion).
Tony Kofi is a British Jazz multi-instrumentalist born of Ghanaian parents, a player of the Alto, Baritone, Soprano, Tenor saxophones and flute. Having 'cut his teeth' in the “Jazz Warriors” of the early 90’s, award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. As well as performing and recording with Gary Crosby's “NuTroop” and “Jazz Jamaica”, Tony’s playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists he has worked/recorded with include “US-3”, The World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Jamaaladeen Tacuma's Coltrane Configurations and Ornette Coleman. In 2017 he recorded an album with Tony Kofi and the Organisation, in which he co leads on the Baritone Saxophone and in 2020 he released a new album Another Kind of Soul, dedicated to Cannonball Adderley.
Bassist Mikele Montolli (Verona, Italy) has performed and recorded with such great artists as ''Sun Ra Arkestra'' Knoel Scott quartet and Marshall Allen, top U.K. Jazz singers Julie Dexter and Heidi Vogel, and L.A. saxophone legend Don Menza, thus building an extensive music vocabulary based on Afro-American tradition fused with years of classical training and experimental form-free music. In 2017 Montolli released his debut album "Satellite House”.
Australian drummer/percussionist Joel Prime has become an important addition to British Jazz. Winner of 'Australia's Best Up & Coming Drummer' competition in 2011, his versatility across congas, the drum kit and all manner of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion has created the opportunity for Joel to perform with Tony Kofi, Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet, Mr Little’s Noisy Band, Felix Riebl and The Copasetic Foundation, among others.
