ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON

Is a very Dynamic and Unique Cutting-edge Ensemble of Musicians.
Is a Power Packed Experience of Emotions and Excitements based 
on a Large Revisited Repertoire of the Two Legendary Composers  Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn.

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 PineDonald ByrdEddie HendersonDavid MurraySam RiversAndrew HillAbdullah IbrahimMacy GrayJulian JosephHarry Connick JRByron WallenJamaaladeen TacumaOrnette ColemanDr Lonnie Smith…..

Marco Marzola Jazz Bassplayer and Bandleader Ongoing collaboration with Musicians of the International jazz scene across Europe at Jazz Festivals and Jazz Clubs. Alongside his work as sideman, he started several projects as a band leader featuring International acclaimed guests such as Ed CherrySteve TurreSherman IrbyAkua DixonDarrell GreenDion Parson. As a testimony to these collaborations, there are now a number of Albums available on line.
He shared the stage and recorded with the most representative Musicians of the INTERNATIONAL JAZZ SCENE around Europe and United States such as:
Betty Carter, Jimmy Lovelace, Tommy Tarantine, Harold Land, George Cables, Steve Turre, Tommy Campbell, John Hics, Tony Scott, Bruce Forman, Jimmy Cobb, Dion Parson, John Clark, Sherman Irby, Darrell Green, Jesse Davis, James Hurt, Ed Cherry, Bruce Williams, Jerome Jennings, Camille Thurman, Flavio Boltro, Stefano Bollani, Fabrizio Bosso and many other….

Nico Menci (One of Italy’s top pianists).
He has many collaborations with big names on the international Jazz Scene, recording albums and giving concerts at Jazz Festivals and Jazz Clubs across Europe with:
Elliot ZigmundSteve EllingtonPatrick ClaharSam MostJimmy LovelaceSlide HamptonEric AlexanderEddie HendersonSteve TurreBruce WilliamsChuck McPhersonRay MantillaScott HamiltonJaimeo BrownSherman IrbyDarrell GreenJames ZollarAkua DixonJesse DavisDion ParsonSteve GrossmanVincent HarringBuster WilliamsLenny WhiteKush Abadey etc……

Alfonso Vitale was born in 1991 in Messina, Italy. He started playing the drums at the age of three and became a regular fixture at local jazz club ‘La Sosta’, sitting in with visiting veteran stars like Bobby WatsonKenny Barron, Buster WilliamsSteve Swallow and others.
In 2013 he graduated from the Conservatoire A. Corelli with a degree in classical percussions. Soon after moving to the UK, he became a regular sideman with tenor saxophonist Renato D’Aiello at Ronnie Scott’s Acoustic Jazz Lounge and found a comfortable footing on the London jazz scene playing among others with Tony KofiJay PhelpsAlan BarnesTrevor Watkis. In 2016 Alfonso took a three months sabbatical in the Big Apple, New York City, honing and extending his skills as an exponent of his stylistic passion in the style of the old jazz masters. More recently Alfonso returned from a tour between UK and France, playing in the quintet of one of the great jazz legends Eddie Gomez.

Two of the greatest jazz composers were Duke Ellington (1899-1974) and Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967).
The nature of the collaboration between the Duke and Strays remained a mystery to audiences, record buyers and critics. Who composed what? This famous question has been debated over decades between critics, musicologists and fans. 

In a 1962 interview, Duke Ellington said, “Strayhorn lives the life that I would love to live. You know, he is the pure artist”

For more information and booking inquiries click here

Contacts:
– Charismatic Production

– Marco Marzola Music