Birmingham-based saxophonist Xhosa Cole will release his debut album, ‘Ibeji,’ on November 11th, 2022, via Stoney Lane Records. The 17-track record features Cole’s brother, percussionist Ian Parmel, and several other stellar musicians, including Jason Brown, Azizi Cole, and Hamid Drake.
Cole, who won the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2018 and was awarded the 2021 Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Newcomer, first began playing the saxophone at a community music school by Andy Hamilton in his hometown. He now performs regularly with his ensemble, Rhythm-a-ting, and has appeared at Ronnie Scott’s and Cadogan Hall venues.
‘Ibeji,’ named after the Yoruba god twins, explores themes of identity, ancestry, and community through a fusion of jazz, Afrobeat, and folk styles. The album will be available on CD, all digital platforms, and as a limited edition 180g double vinyl.
The album draws inspiration from Cole’s family connections, their love of improvisation, and his West African heritage. Tracks like ‘Dance of Ancestra’ and ‘Masks-Rituals-Ancestors’ pay homage to his cultural roots, while others like ‘Andy’s Shuffle’ and ‘Jazz is About’ showcase his playful approach to jazz.
In the album’s release, Cole will perform at the London Jazz Festival and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall with special guests Soweto Kinch and Hamid Drake. So don’t miss out on this exciting new talent – pre-order ‘Ibeji’ now and catch Cole live in November.
Tour Dates – November 2022:
November 13th – London Jazz Festival: Café Oto, feat. Jason Yarde, Hamid Drake, Yahael Onono
November 15th – Symphony Hall, Birmingham – feat. Soweto Kinch, Hamid Drake, Ian Parmel
