ABOUT THE 'THE INTERNATIONAL' (MUSICIAN -2) VENUE
This will be the first Jazzhouse gig at 'The International" (MUSICIAN -2). The venue is in Garden Street, Leicester and as "The International" has run an eclectic range of events for a number of years.
The owner of the current Musician venue now manages the Musician -2. The performance space is on the ground floor with wheelchair access, a bar, large stage area, professional stage lighting and sound. Seating will be cabaret style for Jazzhouse gigs.
CAR PARKING: There is a multi-story carpark immediately opposite the 'The International' building and the venue is in easy walking distance from the Haymarket Bus Station. For more information check out the website at:
https://www.the-international.co.uk
ALINA BZHEZHINSKA
Undoubtedly one of the leading harpists in the world today, Alina Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a one-woman powerhouse on a mission to bring the harp to the fore of contemporary sound.
From Royalty to the jazz greats of today - Alina Bzhezhinska has performed at the late Queen’s 80th Birthday and the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; she collaborated with world top artists Kamaal Williams, DJ Spinna (NYC), Slide Johnson (Paris), Tony Kofi and Shabaka Hutchings.
Bzhezhinska is a creator of a unique international formation HipHarpCollective. She produced her critically acclaimed albums “Inspiration” (Ubuntu Music, 2018), “Reflections” (BBE Music, 2022) and a single “Altera Vita” in duet with Tony Kofi on Saxophone (BBE Music, 2023).
She performed as a side woman at “African Culture” - Shabaka (Impulse! 2022), “Music Aid for Ukraine” (Ubuntu Music, 2022), “Breath Suite“- Ben Mark (2021), “Wu Hen” - Kamaal Williams (2020) and “New Focus on Song” (2016).
She appeared at WOMADelaide Festival in Australia, live performances for BBC Radio 3 and Worldwide FM followed along with appearances at Edinburgh International Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Royal Albert Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Cadogan Hall for EFG London Jazz fest 2021, Jazz Cafe London, Jazz Connective, Periscope Musciques Innovates and Ronnie Stott’s Jazz Club.
Alina’s set of Solo Harp with electronics is also in demand and she performed at EFG LJF opening for Lakecia Benjamin as well as Omar and Run Logan Run at the Jazz Cafe in London.She has been nominated for Best Live Experience of the Year at the 2018 Jazz FM Awards and was a winner of Presto Music Award 2022
She also runs a charity to support her home country Ukraine.
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.
Leicester Jazz House supports and promotes the principles of ACE and others regarding the importance of equality, diversity and inclusivity. This includes the acknowledgement that there is much more work to be done to make our society and culture free of prejudice and discrimination in the arts.
Leicester Jazz House CIC is a volunteer-run not-for-profit organisation bringing contemporary jazz of the highest quality to Leicestershire audiences through the programme of events mainly at the Musician Venue, Attenborough Arts Centre and Y Theatre; and also promoting jazz in other ways, including through education.
