XHOSA COLE TRIO

Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous community arts programmes in Birmingham including the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jazzlines Ensemble and Birmingham Music Service. Having grown up in Handsworth and first played the Tenor at Andy Hamilton’s Ladywood Community Music School, he’s now among a long legacy of Birmingham Saxophonists including Soweto Kinch and Shabaka Hutchings.

He recently released his third studio album "On A Modern Genius Volume 1" a title which clearly echoes one of Thelonious Monk's classic BlueNote albums. Xhosa's previous albus: K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us featuring saxophonist, Soweto Kinch and pianist, Reuben James and Ibeji, featuring conversations and duets with seven percussionists from the African Diaspora, which explores themes of Brotherhood, Ancestors, Masks, and Codes. Xhosa has the rare trait of having firm roots in tradition paired with an uncompromisable radical vision. His art speaks to an intersectional experience that celebrates the reality of community connection and challenges conventions that inhibit true creative expression.

Xhosa has performed twice at the BBC Proms, Composed music for the Ripieno Players, a Birmingham Based String Orchestra, recorded saxophone for Mahalia’s debut album Love and Compromise, completed a 22 date UK tour, all along side his studies as a scholar at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Xhosa also received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Newcomer in 2019 and Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year.

Joining Xhosa in this trio are bass player Josh Vadiveloo and drummer Tim Giles.