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Xhosa Cole

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Thu 15th June at 7:30pm

Xhosa Cole

Critically acclaimed saxophonist, flautist and composer, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of thesuccess of numerous community outreach arts programmes in Birmingham. Having startedplaying Tenor Saxophone at Andy Hamilton MBE’s Ladywood Community Music School,Xhosa has now established himself among thelong legacy of Birmingham Saxophonists including Soweto Kinch and Shabaka Hutchings. Xhosa’s early career was shaped by anumber of musical mentors including the likes of Sid Peacock, Jean Toussait, Mike Williams,John Ruddick and Percy Purseglove, givinghim a varied outlook on his approach todevelopment and a deep connection to the lineage and tradition of Jazz music. More recentlyit has been various collaborative, performance and compositional opportunities that haveforged his development and helped to establish him as an emerging name on the UK scene.

In 2018 he was the recipient of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year Award and hassince: performed alongside artists including Monty Alexander and Courtney Pine and as asoloist for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales; had the opportunity to perform at prestigiousvenues and events including the BBC Proms, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and Ronnie Scotts; and In 2020 received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Newcomer as well ashaving been nominated for the Jazz FM Breakthrough act.

Earlier this year, Xhosa completed his inaugural 23 date UK tour with his quartet featuringTrumpet virtuoso Jay Phelps, Birmingham veteran drummer Jim Bashford and fellow BBCYJM finalist James Owston. The band recorded his debut album K(no)w Them, K(no)w Usalongside featured guest artists, saxophonist Soweto Kinch and Pianist Reuben James. As arecording artist, Xhosa featured on Kinch’s latest album ‘Black Peril’ where he played alongside African-American Jazz titans: Drummer, Gregory Hutchinson and Pianist, ELEW(Eric Lewis). Cole also recorded saxophone for UK R&B singer songwriter Mahalia’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Love and Compromise’.

Although the majority of Xhosa’s creative output is centred around the Jazz idiom fromfree improv to bebop, he has recently begun to breakthrough as an up-and-coming composer.Some of his recent commissions have been from the Ideas of Noise Festival, Flatpack Film Festival, Ripieno Players, For-wards & Town Hall Symphony Hall. Much of his writing isinformed by his time engrossed in the Jazz cannon, however through composition he hasexplored a multitude of muses including Arithmetic and Geometric Maths, Biology, Classic Western Harmony and elements of traditional Yoruba Culture an Music.

Xhosa’s deep and authentic connection to the lineage of Jazz music has helped to establishhim among the most exciting young talents in the country. At this stage in his career he iscontinually learning, developing and growing; in keeping with this great tradition. His exposureto players from a range of different traditions and outlooks compounded by his strongconnection to his inner-city community in Handsworth at the heart of Birmingham has helped to develop a fiercely unique and independent voice.

Xhosa Cole
Nathan England-Jones
Josh Vadiveloo
Steve Saunders

7:30 pm doors, 8:00 pm start time
Over 14s, under 16s accompanied by an adult over 18

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