Tony Kofi Quintet – ‘A Portrait of Cannonball’ (1st show)

The Tony Kofi Quintet present ‘A Portrait of Cannonball’

Alto-sax master Tony Kofi fronts this loving celebration of the jazz giant Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley. With Andy Davies (trumpet) Alex Webb (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and Alfonso Vitale (drums) the group traces the explosive music of Cannonball Adderley from his first session as leader in 1955 through work with Miles Davis to the soul-jazz of the 1960s.

The repertoire includes Adderley brothers classics like ‘Things Are Getting Better’, ‘Work Song’, ‘Del Sasser’, ‘Sack o’Woe’ and many others. Cannonball Adderley was one of the best-loved figures in post-war jazz. Hailed as ‘the new Bird’ on his emergence, he made historic recordings with Miles Davis and John Coltrane as well as having many crossover hits as a pioneer of soul-jazz.

Tony Kofi won the Best Instrumentalist Award at the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards, Best Ensemble at the 2005 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Album of the Year at the 2005 BBC Jazz Awards and was nominated for an award MOBO in 2008, 2015 The Jack Petchey Award for services to Music and 2020 The Presto music award for best album Another Kind of Soul and nominated for the Best Instrumentalist award for the 2021 Parliamentary Jazz award

Andy Davies comes from Swansea in South Wales. Now based in London he regularly performs at Ronnie Scotts jazz Club and often hosts the Ronnie Scott’s Late Night Jam Session. He leads the Andy Davies Quartet which is a showcase for his composing. They have toured Japan, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the UK. He has done pop session work with artists such as Will Young, McFly and appeared on television shows The Paul OGrady Show and Michael Parkinson Show. Andy is also an accomplished session musician whose trumpet playing has featured on the BBC1 programme Steven Fry in America.

Alex Webb is a songwriter, arranger and pianist; His songs have been recorded by jazz singers China Moses, Mina Agossi, Sandra Nkake, Liane Carroll, Allan Harris, David McAlmont and Alexander Stewart, among others. He has created a number of ‘words-and-music’ productions, including ‘Lush Life’ (about composer / arranger Billy Strayhorn), ‘Charlie Parker on Dial’ and ‘Cafe Society Swing’ which enjoyed two theatre runs in London and one in New York.

Alfonso Vitale became a regular fixture at local jazz club ‘La Sosta’, sitting in with visiting veteran stars like Bobby Watson, Kenny Barron, Buster Williams, Steve Swallow and others. In 2013 he graduated from the Conservatoire A. Corelli with a degree in classical percussion. Soon after moving to the UK, he became a regular sideman with tenor saxophonist Renato D’Aiello at Ronnie Scott’s Acoustic Jazz Lounge and found a comfortable footing on the London scene.

Andrew Cleyndert accomplished bass player embarked on a musical career backing jazzmen such as Peter King and Art Farmer as house bassist in a jazz club in Manchester. On moving to London he began playing with Bobby Wellins and the Don Weller/Bryan Spring Quartet. Clark Tracey and Iain Ballamy and quickly established himself on the jazz scene.  He was also a member of the Ronnie Scott Sextet / Quartet for a number of years, and was long-standing bassist for the much-missed Stan Tracey.

‘Tony Kofi’s Portrait of Cannonball started the festival, setting the bar high for subsequent acts. Tearing into the Adderley canon … Kofi’s spirited approach was supported by a tight rhythm section’ –  Jazzwise Magazine

‘An absolute blast, one of the most exciting gigs of the year … a brilliant all-round package.’ – London Jazz News