Tony Kofi's "Standard Time" with support from "Solaris"

Thursday evening 30th September 2010 : Tony Kofi's "Standard Time" featuring Tony Kofi (Saxes), David Chamberlain (Double Bass) and Rod Youngs (Drums)

Tony last appeared at Seven Jazz in January 2009 to a sell out and enthusiastic audience. His new group "Standard Time" plays classic jazz standards rearranged to give that fresh sounds of today, and utilising every instrument to its fullest range. Kofi displays an innate ability to swing using hooks and grooves whilst never losing the essence to sound original.

Born in Nottingham to West African parents, the playing career of saxophonist Tony Kofi when he chanced upon a series of jazz workshops, run in Leicester by Nick Hislam. This laid the seeds for what was to come, and a stint at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston Mass. USA, on a full scholarship. Between 2003-2004 Tony was an integral part of the late Andrew Hill’s Anglo-American Big band and Sam Rivers Rivbeat Orchestra. In 2006 Tony got a call from saxophone Jazz legend David Murray asking him to join the historic avant-guard jazz ensemble the World Saxophone Quartet.

Tony Kofi is just back from New York where he has been recording with the father of the free jazz movement Ornette Coleman and bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma.  "He (Ornette) told me he wanted me to play the tenor saxophone rather than alto or baritone. At the time I didn't even own one - I had to borrow one. So I had two choices -not to go or to go, and I chose the latter. I spent the last two month practising like it was my last day on the planet in my local woodland near where I live. it was worth it to get a chance to play with one of the greatest jazz saxophone players that has ever lived and is still on top of his game"  Read the full story here; listen to Tony's music here ; see video clips of him here  .

The other musicians in Standard Time are drummer Rod Youngs,  a native of  Washington, D.C. an bassist David Chamberlain, the full-time bass player with Blue Note recording artist Stacey Kent.

Thursday Sept 30th. Doors open 8pm, music starts 8.30pm-11pm.  £15/12 concessions.

Support from Accapella vocal group SOLARIS: we have pleasure in introducing an interval set by this acappella group who first met as students at Leeds College of Music. After working together for some time they have built up a beautiful cohesive harmony-singing group. Their repertoire includes many jazz inspired pieces and originals written by members of the group Ruby Wood, Jenny Smith, Helen Curtis, Sky Burton and Tessa Smith.

Seven Jazz has a good vibe, friendly people and a fun raffle with (of course!) seven prizes. Tickets can be ordered from Seven Arts 0113 266 77 77. You can if you wish purchase a season ticket for our autumn concerts and get six concerts for the price of four (£60 full price or £50 concessions) 

Tony Kofi will also be taking a Jazz workshop for musicians on Saturday 2nd October at Seven Arts 2-5pm. There arre limited places. For further information and enrolments email Jean Watson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it