ARTISTS
Alina Bzhezhinska – Harp
“…Bzhezhinska shares with Alice Coltrane a mastery of the jazz harp.” ★★★★★ – The Times
Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a world-leading harpist and bandleader dedicated to expanding the harp within contemporary jazz and improvised music. She has recorded seven jazz albums and developed a distinctive artistic voice at the intersection of jazz, improvisation and contemporary sound. Her long-standing connection to the musical legacy of Alice Coltrane began in 2017, when she performed in a landmark Barbican tribute concert to Alice and John Coltrane alongside Pharoah Sanders, Tony Kofi and Denis Baptiste. Since then, she has continued to explore and present their work through performances, collaborations, masterclasses and lectures internationally. She is the creator of HipHarpCollective, winner of the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Ensemble 2024 and has appeared at major international festivals and venues including WOMADelaide, EFG London Jazz Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club. Described by the Evening Standard as “a modern-day supremo among the best contemporary harpists,” she has also performed live for BBC Radio 3, German National Radio and Worldwide FM.
Hip Harp Collective:
Tony Kofi – Saxophone
A multi award winning saxophonists, a recording career that has seen collaborations with Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, Cymande, Abdullah Ibrahim and
Ornette Coleman to name a few. Kofi’s solo work, in particular his 2020 album ‘A Different Kind Of Soul’ and his recently reissued ‘Plays Monk’ cement his reputation as one of the UK’s most accomplished saxophonists.
Sam Leak – Piano
An award-winning London pianist described by JazzFM’s Helen Mayhew as ‘one of the brightest stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser.’ His critically acclaimed recordings have drawn praise from the Guardian, BBC Music Magazine, MOJO and The Wire, with Jamie Cullum hailing his band as ‘the heavyweights of the British jazz scene.’ Leak brings depth, fire and supreme musicianship to a night that demands nothing less
Joel Prime – Percussion
An Australian born drummer & percussionist who has become an important addition to British Jazz. Winner of ‘Australia’s Best Up & Coming Drummer’ award in 2011, his versatility across congas, the drum kit and all manner of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian percussion has created the opportunity for Joel to perform with Mr Little’s Noisy Band, Felix Riebl and The Copasetic Foundation among others.
Kobe Ngugi – Bass
A highly regarded, London-based double bassist and electric bassist who graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He is a rising fixture in the contemporary UK jazz scene, collaborating with esteemed artists and frequently performing at top London venues like Ronnie Scott’s, the Vortex Jazz Club, and Woolwich Works.
Matthew Holmes – Drums
a freelance drummer, composer and educator based in Birmingham and has become a a notable figure amongst the UK jazz scene having performed extensively around the country at venues such as; The Barbican Hall, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Pizza Express Soho, The Southbank Centre and Cafe OTO, as well as on ITV, Channel 5,BBC Radio 6, Jazz FM, Scala Radio and Worldwide FM.
