Acclaimed saxophonist Tony Kofi joins The Organisation to celebrate the irresistible music of soul jazz legend, Lou Donaldson.
Tracing Donaldson’s journey from his bebop beginnings to his defining role in the soul jazz revolution—sparked by the groundbreaking Hammond organ sound of Jimmy Smith and championed by Blue Note founder Alfred Lion—the band brings to life some of the finest recordings of the Blue Note era.
Expect classic Donaldson favourites including Blues Walk, Hot Dog, Good Gracious!, Rev. Moses, Alligator Bogaloo and Ode to Billie Joe, alongside music associated with Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Big John Patton, Pat Martino, George Benson and more.
Tony first encountered Lou Donaldson in 1993, when he was invited to attend one of Donaldson’s open rehearsals at the Mount Fuji Jazz Festival. Witnessing the master at work left a lasting impression and planted the seed for this special tribute project.
Featuring:
- Tony Kofi – alto saxophone
- Pete Whittaker – Hammond organ
- Simon Fernsby – guitar
- Pete Cater – drums
One of today’s hottest and most innovative quartets BBC Music Magazine album of the month
Biography
Award-winning saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Tony Kofi is one of the UK’s leading jazz artists. A former member of the pioneering Jazz Warriors, he has built an acclaimed international career as a performer, composer and educator, working with artists including Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Abdullah Ibrahim, Ornette Coleman, Harry Connick Jr. and The World Saxophone Quartet. Renowned for his fluent, fiery hard-bop style, Tony leads several acclaimed ensembles and continues to explore the music of jazz’s greatest innovators through projects including Portrait of Cannonball and this celebration of soul jazz icon Lou Donaldson.
