Alina Bzhezhinska, Tony Kofi and Brian Jackson celebrate Alice Coltrane at Church of Sound

In the hallowed halls of Clapton's Church Of Sound, a remarkable evening of music unfolded, transforming the space into a sanctuary of sound and spirit. The atmosphere was as inviting as it was aromatic, where the unexpected blend of frankincense and curry added a unique warmth to the setting.

This was the last of three performances dedicated to Alice Coltrane; started as a collaboration of BBE Music’s artists: Brian Jackson, Tony Kofi and Alina Bzhezhinska. And those who were privileged enough to attend this one were in for something special.

The night began with a majestic intro from Pharoah Sanders ‘The Creator has a Master Plan’, dreamy harp solo ‘Wisdom Eye’, and Alice Coltrane's classic ‘Blue Nile.’

In these opening tracks, Alina showed her extraordinary command over the harp, navigating through different styles with an effortless grace. Her ability to lead her band with such dexterity set the tone for an evening of impeccable artistry.

Brian Jackson's ‘Path to Macondo’ from his latest album resonated deeply with the audience, the mythical theme serving as a poignant metaphor for the night’s overarching message. Seeing Brian perform live it is clear that he still possesses the magic that he did 50 odd years ago when he wrote his seminal works with Gil Scott Heron.

This idea of myth, voyage and return was further explored in Tony Kofi's next piece, ‘Sankofa’, dedicated to the innocent victims of war. Kofi's composition and the ensuing solos by Jackson and himself spun a web of enchantment over the venue, shifting seamlessly from spiritual jazz to bebop and back, underpinned by a commanding bass solo by Menelik Claffey that anchored their message of peace.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of an award to Alina's ensemble, Hip Harp Collective, honoured as the Jazz Ensemble of the Year at the Parliamentary Jazz Awards. This accolade was a testament to Alina's fearless leadership and innovative approach to Jazz. A fitting tribute. This show demonstrated why Alina is so special - a fearless and boundary pushing band leader and Harpist who conducts her team in a manner that even Pep Guardiola would admire.

The tribute to Pharoah Sanders with ‘Altera Vita’ showcased a stunning duo performance by Bzhezhinska and Kofi, channelling the late saxophonist's spirit into every note. This spiritual and serene composition set the tone for the second half of the show.

They were soon joined by the full ensemble – Joel Prime on percussion, Matt Holmes on drums, Menelik Claffey on bass, and Brian Jackson on piano – for a powerful rendition of ‘Something About John Coltrane.’ This tribute reminded everyone of the purpose of the night: celebrating the Coltranes' legacy of transcending boundaries and speaking truth to power.

‘Dear Alice’ by Tony Kofi was written and performed exclusively as part of this trio of performances to celebrate the life of Alice Coltrane.

The evening concluded with Alice Coltrane’s signature composition ‘Journey to Satchidananda’, an apt closing that shifted from the modal to the meditative, leaving the audience with a lasting impression of using spiritual power for personal and collective betterment. As the final notes faded, attendees gave this special group of musicians an extended standing ovation - much deserved as all left the church with their cups full, spirits nourished, carrying forward the night’s message of transcendence and hope.

This gig is what London’s jazz scene is about and showcased the brilliance and diversity we currently have in our city – where legends willingly take to the stage with their younger contemporaries all aligned to move the culture forward.