Tony Kofi & The Organisation celebrates 100 years of Lou Donaldson

Tony Kofi & The Organisation are at World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens on Saturday 14 November, celebrating 100 years of Lou Donaldson. The night is a tribute to the alto saxophone legend who lived from 1 November 1926 to 9 November 2024, and whose career ran from bebop beginnings to a defining role in the soul jazz revolution, with a string of classic Blue Note recordings along the way.

The set works its way through Donaldson favourites like 'Blues Walk', 'Hot Dog', 'Good Gracious!', 'Rev. Moses', 'Alligator Bogaloo' and 'Ode to Billie Joe'. It doesn't stop there, though; the band also plays music associated with Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Charles Earland, Big John Patton, Pat Martino and George Benson, names that sit right in that same soul jazz orbit.

At the front is Tony Kofi, a former Jazz Warriors member and an acclaimed alto saxophonist known for his interpretations of Thelonious Monk. He leads The Organisation in tracing Donaldson's journey, and the whole project grew out of an encounter Kofi had with Donaldson back in 1993. On the night, the line-up is Tony Kofi and the Tony Kofi Quartet.

World Heart Beat, a cafe, concert venue and music academy in Nine Elms, presents the show as all ages and wheelchair accessible. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the set runs for about three and a half hours. Tickets are £25.55.