Tony Kofi Quartet 'The Silent Truth' (Album releases)

04 January 2009

Tony Kofi Quartet
The Silent Truth (Specific Jazz)

The Tony Kofi Quartet is really something special in the UK. Not only has Tony Kofi himself managed to become something of a star (in the UK jazz world), winning various awards for his alto and baritone sax playing as well as becoming the most sought-after sidemen on many other musician’s projects (Andrew Hill, Sam Rivers, Chris Biscoe and more), but he has kept his quartet together since 2000 and it is becoming a star in its own right.
Tony Kofi’s Quartet had been together for four years when they released All Is Know, their interpretation of Thelonious Monk. It was a massive hit (in the UK jazz world!) and won BBC’s Jazz Album of the year.
It has now been followed up by an album of original compositions by the group members, and it is another sure-footed step forward.
The songs are original, but contain affectionate tips of the hat to jazz standards you will recognise; part of a melody line, a certain chord change, a groove, will bring to mind such disparate historical forces as Ramsey Lewis, Ellington/Hodges, Cannonball Adderly, Eric Dolphy. This is a much freer connection to jazz history than, say, doing an album of Thelonious Monk tunes.
Tony Kofi seems to want to do it all and it seems at this point like he can. He is brilliant on several saxophones (possibly even at once, à la Roland Kirk) and has, in his personal style, fused really modern harmonies – there’s that Dolphy influence, among others – with the muscular attack of a Cannonball Adderly. This is a lot rarer than one might think, or wish: the union of the cerebral with passion. It puts Kofi in a class by himself, and now he’s adding to it with credible composing skills.
Pianist Jonathan Gee is also beginning to take his place in the forefront of UK piano players, and doing so with a great deal of style. Where many British pianists succeed on a massive, staggering technique that often has the effect of eclipsing content, Gee, who is not deficient in technique, succeeds with a wry, impish personality that manifests great intelligence. He was, and is, the perfect pianist to take on a Monk project, but he has channeled that into his own vision.
Winston Clifford has long been one of the prime players with a list of impressive gigs miles long. He channels the great drummers of the 50s and 60s, eschewing the rock influences that have been turning up recently. He is fluid, swings, and has chops to burn. Bassist Ben Hazleton might elicit the same comments, especially the swnging one; great tone and time.
I could go through each tune on The Silent Truth, but it’s not necessary. If you are fortunate enough to hear it, you will be reminded of what jazz is about in the best way: players putting massive training behind them and playing with passion.

Review by Charley.