Kofi/Barnes Aggregation at Sheffield Jazz at Playhouse Theatre

This band is about enjoyment for performers and audience alike – the perfect antidote to the po-faced gloom school of jazz!” says Alan Barnes. A showcase for contrasting alto sax talents – Kofi: heavier-toned, blues-drenched, in the Jackie McLean mould – Barnes: lighter, crisply phrased, evoking Art Pepper. Combine the two approaches and the chemistry is instantly explosive – accessible, hard-swinging music.

Alan Barnes has won over 25 British Jazz Awards and twice been made BBC jazz musician of the year. He has performed with bands as diverse as Stan Tracey and Humphrey Lyttelton as well as writing and arranging for his own ensembles....

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This band is about enjoyment for performers and audience alike – the perfect antidote to the po-faced gloom school of jazz!” says Alan Barnes. A showcase for contrasting alto sax talents – Kofi: heavier-toned, blues-drenched, in the Jackie McLean mould – Barnes: lighter, crisply phrased, evoking Art Pepper. Combine the two approaches and the chemistry is instantly explosive – accessible, hard-swinging music.

Alan Barnes has won over 25 British Jazz Awards and twice been made BBC jazz musician of the year. He has performed with bands as diverse as Stan Tracey and Humphrey Lyttelton as well as writing and arranging for his own ensembles.

Tony Kofi is also a recipient of the BBC Jazz Musician of the year award as well as best ensemble in the Parliamentary awards. He has worked in the Abdul Ibrahim big band and the World Saxophone Quartet.

Rod Youngs on drums and Adam King on bass create a tight and driving force behind the amiable but intense exchanges of the front line and John Turville on piano combines exciting, rhythmic comping in the ensemble and with a free- wheeling and exuberant approach to soloing.

The new album ‘Aggregation’ has been recorded on Woodville Records and the Quintet will be touring in the autumn of 2015 and spring 2016.

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