"'Altera Vita' is a powerful, moving, take-you-breath-away masterpiece." - Downbeat Magazine ★★★★★

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"Aided by Tony Kofi, the London-based harpist wowed LJF-goers with an intimate, intense set in the heart of Soho" - Jazzwise

Undoubtedly one of the leading harpists in the world today, Alina Bzhezhinska (a.k.a. AlinaHipHarp) is a one-woman powerhouse on a mission to bring the harp to the fore of contemporary sound.

From Royalty to the jazz greats of today – Alina Bzhezhinska has performed at the late Queen’s 80th Birthday and the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand; and has collaborated with top artists across the world such as Kamaal Williams, DJ Spinna (NYC), Slide Johnson (Paris) and Shabaka Hutchings.

Finding great success with her critically acclaimed albums “Inspiration” (Ubuntu Music, 2018) and “Reflections” (BBE Music, 2022), she is now back with a new album co-written with her long time friend and collaborator Tony Kofi. 

Bzhezhinska and Kofi, a remarkable jazz duo, seamlessly blend the ethereal sounds of the harp with the soulful melodies of the saxophone to create a musical experience that transcends boundaries. Their collaboration started in 2017 and is a testament to the power of harmonious fusion, as they draw inspiration from jazz traditions while infusing their performances with innovation and improvisation. Together, they craft enchanting narratives through their music, captivating audiences with each note and ensuring that their jazz legacy continues to evolve in exciting and unexpected ways.

Their new duo album “Altera Vita” will be released on BBE Music on April 5th 2024.

TOUR DATES

(w/ Tony Kofi) 19 January 2024 – The Crazy Coqs – London – UK
(w/ Tony Kofi) 12 April 2024 – Turner Sims – Southampton – UK – TICKETS
(w/ Tony Kofi) 19 April 2024 – Kings Place – London – UK – SOLD OUT
(w/ Tony Kofi) 25 April 2024 – Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich – UK – TICKETS

‘Altera Vita’ is saxophone and harp in perfect harmony with Tony and Alina also providing the bulk of the percussion to accompany their recordings. Tony Kofi is widely recognized as one of the leading Jazz saxophonists in the UK and regularly lends his skills to legendary group Cymande for their live performances. Alina has been heralded as the “New Sound of Europe” and the duo’s innovative and refreshing approach to recording is apparent on this album.

‘Altera Vita’ mirrors the human experience, from conception through to the inevitable end or new beginning. Throughout the journey the appreciation of our environments is paramount, ‘Altera Vita’ guides us through an intensified refocus on our senses through the medium of sound.

This homage to the ethereal is dedicated to the influential Pharoah Sanders —a lynchpin in the creative and personal lives of Tony & Alina. Sharing a platform during the 2017 EFG London Jazz Festival at the Barbican in a concert honouring Alice & John Coltrane, Pharoah’s influence was profound. Riding the wave of inspiration following Pharoah’s passing, Tony channeled his gratitude into the creation of ‘Altera Vita (for Pharoah Sanders)’ (single). With Alina’s harmonious harp in counterpoint, a serene musical dialogue was born, echoing the grandeur of Pharoah’s legacy. This track released in 2023 to critical acclaim was a major catalyst for the creation of ‘Altera Vita’ as an album.

The heart of ‘Altera Vita’ took shape during a busy summer schedule over the span of two electrifying days at Fish Factory Studios, London, The synergy between Tony & Alina underpinned these rapid-fire recording sessions. The ebbs and flows, the improvisational dance of saxophone and harp intermingled with the percussive beats also from the pair, with the phenomenal Muriel Grossmann contributing tanpura from her Ibiza base – all demonstrated the effortless energy harvest of a creative partnership seasoned over years of performance and practice. Their achievement is a testament to music as our communal solace and our binder.

Encapsulating the interplay of West African and Eastern European sonic traditions, notably expressed through jazz, Tony Kofi and Alina Bzhezhinska become symbols of our shared human fabric —a powerful reminder that our commonalities vastly overshadow our differences.

By highlighting these shared narratives, they make a compelling case for unity as our definitive path to achieve ‘Altera Vita’, a renewed mode of being for us all.

"Bzhezhinska shares with Alice (Coltrane) a mastery of the jazz harp." - The Times ★★★★★

"Alina Bzhezhinska… a modern-day supremo…among the best contemporary harpists…" - Evening Standard