Xhosa Cole dedicates his new live album to 'the genius of Thelonious Monk'

Saxophonist Xhosa Cole, who won the BBC’s Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2018 as well as Jazz FM and Parliamentary Jazz Awards, continues his artistic growth with his new in-concert album On A Modern Genius (Vol.1), which is dedicated to the music and personality of Thelonious Monk.

Released on 10 January 2025 on CD and all digital platforms via Birmingham’s Stoney Lane Records, the album features a core band of guitarist Steve Saunders, bassist Josh Vadiveloo and drummer Nathan England Jones with guest appearances by tap dancer Liberty Styles on four tracks and vocals from Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra) on the final track of the set, a wonderful take on Duke’s ‘Come Sunday’. With Saunders’ guitar in place of Monk’s piano, familiar pieces such as ‘Trinkle-Tinkle’, ‘Rhythm-a-ning’, ‘Misterioso/Straight, No Chaser’ and ‘Criss Cross/’Round Midnight/Brilliant Corners’ are given a refreshing twist on what is described as an 'energetic' live recording.

The album follows Cole’s 2021 debut K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us, and his powerful 2022 concept recording Ibeji, which featured Cole in duets with seven percussionists from across the African diaspora.

The band continue their development of the tunes on a series of UK dates at the end of this year and into next at the following venues: MAC, Birmingham (30 Nov); District (Parrjazz), Liverpool (1 Dec); The Flute and Tankard, Cardiff (4 Dec); Jazz House, Leicester (5 Dec); Ronnie Scott’s, London (19 Feb 2025), Museum & Art Gallery, Derby (22 Feb); The Lescar, Sheffield (26 Feb) and Seven Arts, Leeds (27 Feb).

For more info visit www.stoneylane.net