Arnie Somogyi Invites special guest Tony Kofi

6.30pm - support
7.45pm - main show

All are welcome to the inaugural gig of a new series “Arnie Somogyi Invites” where under Arnie’s auspices we invite renowned British jazz performers and link them in with the contemporary Birmingham scene. Arnie is a highly respected band leader as well as prominent bass player who has recently relocated to the vibrant Birmingham area making this great city his new hub to be the freelance maverick that he is. Royal Birmingham Conservatoire's Jazz department is delighted he has agreed to curate this series which includes hosting a jam session after the main set.

Making sure the jazz community intermingles across various strata, Arnie is also inviting alumnus Matt Holmes on drums and RBC piano tutor Liam Noble on piano.

Tony Kofi is a British jazz multi-instrumentalist born of Ghanaian parents, a player of the alto, baritone, soprano, tenor saxophones and flute. Having cut his teeth in the Jazz Warriors of the early ’90s, award-winning saxophonist Tony has gone on to establish himself as a musician, teacher and composer of some authority. As well as performing and recording with Gary Crosby's NuTroop and Jazz Jamaica, Tony’s playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists. He has worked/recorded with US-3, The World Saxophone Quartet, Courtney Pine, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, The David Murray Big Band, Sam Rivers Rivbe Big Band, Andrew Hill Big Band, Abdullah Ibrahim, Macy Gray, Julian Joseph Big Band, Harry Connick Jr, Byron Wallen's Indigo, Jamaaladeen Tacuma's Coltrane Configurations and Ornette Coleman.