Basil Hodge Quartet feat. Tony Kofi

Thursday 23rd February, Tickets £10, Doors 7pm, Music 8.30pm (2 sets, approx finish 11pm)

Tony Kofi joins pianist Basil Hodge at London's best live jazz club Hideaway

"If you were lucky enough to hear this live in a club, you'd be in retro jazz heaven. It's exactly the soundtrack a narrow tie and lapels ensemble requires." - Independent

Basil Hodge’s bop vein has long been a vivid presence within London’s jazz scene and finally graces Hideaway's stage. Playing an extensive array of originals this talented Quartet will tonight feature Tony Kofi’s smoky baritone, granting the night a special, exclusive touch. Basil’s material covers a lot of ground, ranging in mood and mode from bluesy swagger to twinkly balladry.

“Though classically trained, he’s not interested in icy technical brilliance. Instead he waves sonorous, thoughtful ideas, articulated with a proper jazz touch.” - London Evening Standard

Basil Hodge - Piano
Tony Kofi - Alto and Soprano Saxophones
Larry Bartley - Double Bass
Winson Clifford - Drums

Basil's interest in music started at the piano at an early age but his quest to become a jazz musician started in earnest when he undertook classical training from late 1978 to early 1983. Basil then studied jazz privately with pianist/composer Tim Richards between 1986 to 1989 before rounding off his training at Goldsmiths College in London, 1991. His professional career started in the summer of 1993 as a freelance musician and by leading his trio. Steadily he rose up the ranks to play with some of the leading UK players such as Jim Mullen, Tony Kofi, Dave O'Higgins, Pete Wareham and Renato D'Aiello. In November 2003 Basil produced and released his debut CD 'My Guardian Angel' featuring his quintet and original compositions, which led to a distribution deal with New Note Records. The CD received critical acclaim and air play. Basil has been leading his bands (trio, quartet and quintet) since 2000 and he has performed in such venues as the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth and National Theatre Foyers, the Swanage and Ealing Jazz Festivals, The Vortex Jazz Club, The Crypt, Boxford Fleece, Watermills Jazz, The Bonnington Theatre and the Brighton Jazz Club. Basil also did a three year stint - solo piano/piano duos at The Savoy and Claridges hotels. Basil produced his second album 'Sound Reasoning' which was released on 26 October 2009, distributed by Proper Note Ltd. The CD displays 10 more fresh and exciting originals from Basil's pen which confirms his stature as an established composer. The tunes cover his varied approach to jazz incorporating the blues, groove, latin and modern styles. 'Sound Reasoning' received rave reviews including a 4-star rating from Jack Massarik (Evening Standard), Basil appeared on Claire Martin's Jazz Line Up show (BBC Radio 3) to talk about his new album and musical influences. He also performed a solo piano piece for the programme. Three of the main jazz DJs from Jazz FM, Helen Mayhew, Mike Chadwick and Sarah Ward have all recently played music from Basil's 'Sound Reasoning' CD. Basil continues to work with his quintet, quartet and trio as well as a freelance musician. Basil's partnership with Tony started in 1999 and remains strong and vibrant to this present day. His current quartet featuring Tony Kofi - Saxophones, Larry Bartley - Double bass and Winston Clifford - Drums, have been playing at clubs and festivals throughout the UK since 2006  This band is an exciting tight, hard swinging unit in the post-bop and Afro-Cuban vein.

Tony Kofi 

Winner of the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards for Best instrumentalist, the playing career of saxophonist Tony Kofi began when he chanced upon a series of jazz workshops, run in Leicester by Nick Hislam. He won a scholarship to study for a year at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston, taking the opportunity to study with musical luminaries such as Andy Magee, Ernie Watts and Billy Pierce, and was a vital part of Gary Crosby's Nu Troop. He has also been fortunate enough to perform with such acclaimed artists as David Murray Big Band, Courtney Pine, US3 (Blue Note) the latest member of The World saxophone quartet, Claude Deppa's AJ.E and Horns UnLtd and Roy Ayres. Tony has also studied with Donal Byrd, Eddie Henderson and Ralph Moore. His quartet's album of Thelonious Monk's compositions “All is know” won the 2005 Jazz Parliamentary award and the 2005 BBC Jazz award for best ensemble and best album. Tony's latest album “The Silent Truth”, for Specific Jazz, includes all his own original compositions with Jonathan Gee, Ben Hazleton and Winston Clifford on Drums won the BBC jazz award 2008 for best instrumentalist. Tony joined Grand Union in 1998 has been a prominent player ever since. Recorded with Ornette Coleman and Jamaaladeen Tacuma 2009. Tony is currently working with Abdullah Ibrahim and Ekaya. 2010More info soon to follow!