Tony Kofi
Ghana
Alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, baritone saxophone, flute
Winner of Best Instrumentalist at the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards, Tony Kofi’s playing career began when he chanced upon a series of jazz workshops, run in Leicester by Nick Hislam.
He won a scholarship at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying with musical luminaries such as Andy Magee, Ernie Watts, and Billy Pierce,
Tony was a vital part of Gary Crosby's Nu Troop and has performed with artists such as David Murray Big Band, Courtney Pine, US3, and Roy Ayers.
The Tony Kofi Quartet’s 2004 album of Thelonious Monk compositions, Plays Monk, won the Jazz Parliamentary award and the BBC Jazz award for best ensemble and best album.
Tony joined Grand Union in 1998 has been a prominent player ever since.