Tony Kofi Big Band Weekend

Tony Kofi Big Band Weekend10th - 11th August 2024

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

Tony Kofi Jazz Improvisation Workshop10th - 11th August 2024

St Leonards Hotel, Ringwood, BH24 2NR

AB Workshops are delighted to host the Tony Kofi Big Band Weekend on 10th / 11th August 2024. Suitable for those with an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above (see below for more info). Tony is endorsed by Marca Reeds.

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 90’s, award-winning saxophonist Tony Kofi 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 “Nu-Troop” and “Jazz Jamaica”, Tony’s playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists he has worked/recorded with include “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.

“My sound and approach to music is to tell the truth no matter what, I’ve always believed that music is synonymous to life.” ~ Tony Kofi

AB Workshops are delighted to host the Tony Kofi Big Band Weekend on 10th /11th August 2024. Suitable for those with an instrumental ability of Grade 3 standard or above (see below for more info). Tony is endorsed by Marca Reeds.

As well as performing and recording with Gary Crosby’s “Nu-Troop” and “Jazz Jamaica”, Tony’s playing has also been a feature of many bands and artists he has worked/recorded with include “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.

“My sound and approach to music is to tell the truth no matter what, I’ve always believed that music is synonymous to life.” ~ Tony Kofi

Winner of the BBC Jazz Awards 2005 -Album of the Year

Winner of the BBC Jazz Awards 2008 – Best Instrumentalist

Winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2005 – Best Ensemble

Nominee, Mobo Awards 2008

Winner of the Jack Petchey Foundation Award 2015

Winner of the Black Achievers Cultural, Music and Arts Award 2016

“There is so much respect in jazz circles for Tony Kofi.” Jazzwise

“Passionate… superb… heartfelt” The Guardian

Tony will be covering the following subjects in the two days:

Information Coming Soon!

Based at St Leonards Hotel in beautiful Dorset, with excellent facilities
Two full days of tutor lead sessions, four sessions per day
Suitable for the following instruments: Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Bass, Guitar
Workshop runs from 10am – 4.30pm each day, with two 30 minute breaks and a 1 hour lunch break
Optional: A Hot lunch (including requirements such as vegetarian, gluten intolerance etc)
Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries
Prices range from £50-£150 for two days depending on instrument
FREE parking
On-site accommodation (subject to availability). Not included in the price, please book direct with the hotel
Safe, simple, secure. We have now set it up for you to be able to book easier than ever before, simply BOOK ONLINE
Payment plan scheme now available; pay £25 upfront and then pay monthly by direct debit for the balance

Alternatively if you have any questions on the suitability of this course for you we will be happy to help. Contact us at hello@abworkshops.com or by calling 07711 998058 and we will be happy to discuss your needs further.

As an approximate guideline; be able to play around Grade 3 standard. Please note, this does not mean you need Grade 3 qualification, it means your current playing level should be of this standard or better. We also have an alternative guideline of being able to play your major scales up to 4 sharps and flats. You can however be totally new to improvising, having a good solid foundation on the instrument is key foremost.

Regardless of your current level, we here at AB Workshops are committed to providing tuition and support at a pace that allows you to absorb salient points while good progress and motivation is maintained.

What do we mean by “grades” as a measuring tool? We use the ABRSM/Trinity “classical” syllabus, but in most respects this applies to the Jazz grades as well. If you haven’t taken any grades then please contact us to discuss suitability.

– Saxophone
– Trumpet
– Trombone
– Drums
– Bass
– Guitar

You will need to bring your own instrument and instrument stand as well as a music stand.

Drums: You’ll need to bring your own kit.

Guitar/Bass: You’ll need to bring your own amps.

Keys: You will need to bring your own keyboard.

Price for this two day workshop ranges from £50-£150 depending on instrument.

Refreshments; Tea, coffee (including freshly made filter coffee), juices, a variety of biscuits, fresh pastries.

A hot lunch is included if you choose that option when making the booking (including requirements such as vegetarian, gluten intolerance etc).

Times for the workshop are as follows:

Arrive: 9.30am onwards
Session one: 10am – 11.15am
Morning break: 11.15am – 11.45am
Session two: 11.45am – 1pm
Lunch: 1pm – 2pm
Session three: 2pm – 3pm
Afternoon break: 3pm – 3.30pm
Session four: 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Participants of all ages are welcome. Please note: Participants under 18 will need to provide parent/ guardian contact details.

BOOK ONLINE