Wednesday 21 January 2026, 7.30pm
Xhosa Cole returns to OTO for a three night residency with his latest project - FreeMonk, following the launch of On A Modern Genius (Vol.1), his album of nine Monk tunes, captured with a quartet during an extensive spring tour of the UK in 2023 playing the music of Monk. Each night will feature a 30 minute duo set, followed by a 60-80 minute set with the full ensemble.
Thelonious Monk has always had a special place in Xhosa’s heart, who first connected with his music through saxophonist Sonny Rollins. “My route to connecting to him was through Rollins, both geniuses of modern music in their own rights. Masters of melodies, riffing and spontaneity, they are kings in a dynasty of improvised music. Monk has a strong legacy of being an influential mentor and teacher to countless young aspiring jazz musicians - Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Billy Higgins, Barry Harris and Johnny Griffin. This legacy lived on through his compositions. Through his recordings and study of his writing I've learnt so much about the infrastructure that holds melody and groove together, and through his improvising I'm learning about the intersection of authenticity, identity and expression.”
Xhosa will be joined by Pat Thomas on piano, Jeff Williams on drums, Josh Vadiveloo on bass and Tom Challenger on saxophone.
“A British sensation and proves that he’s here for blood with this release ... He’s got technique, talent, artistry and a burning desire that shows throughout the set.” – Downbeat
Xhosa Cole is one of the new rising stars of British Jazz. BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2018, Xhosa went on to win numerous awards and to appear onstage alongside jazz legends. He has performed twice at the BBC Proms, composed music for the Flatpack Film Festival, recorded saxophone for Mahalia’s debut album, and with his own quartet has toured the UK far and wide. Following his celebrated debut album K(no)w Them, K(no)w Us (2021), Cole’s new project and album release Ibeji features a series of saxophone and percussion duets, alongside pieces of conversation and interview between Cole and his seven collaborators, all eminent percussionists of African descent, all woven into the narrative of the album. Xhosa’s exposure to players from a range of different traditions, combined with his strong connection to his inner-city community in Birmingham (UK), has helped to develop a fiercely unique and independent voice.
Pat Thomas studied classical piano from aged 8 and started playing Jazz from the age of 16. He has since gone on to develop an utterly unique style - embracing improvisation, jazz and new music. He has played with Derek Bailey in Company Week (1990/91) and in the trio AND (with Noble) – with Tony Oxley’s Quartet and Celebration Orchestra and in Duo with Lol Coxhill.
"Sartorially shabby as Thomas may be, and on first impression even rather stolid, he has a somewhat imperious charisma that’s immediately amplified when he starts to play. Unlike other pianists whose virtuosity seems to be racing ahead of their thought processes Thomas always seems supremely in command of his gift, and his playing, no matter how free and ready to tangle with abstraction, always carries a charge of authoritative exactitude." - The Jazzmann
Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Jeff began his professional jazz drumming career in New York in 1971. By '72 he was playing with Stan Getz, followed by Dave Liebman and Lookout Farm through 1976. His other associations include Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Bill McHenry, Ethan Iverson, Tony Malaby, Leo Genovese and a host of others. Since making a second home in London some years ago Jeff has performed with Kenny Wheeler, Norma Winstone, Martin Speake, Nikki Illes, Olie Brice and more, in addition to leading his own bands, whose members have included Phil Robson, Kit Downes, Finn Peters, Josh Arcoleo, Sam Lasserson, John O'Gallagher, Duane Eubanks and John Hébert. Jeff has recorded five albums for the Whirlwind Recordings label showcasing his original compositions. The latest, Bloom , features Carmen Staaf-piano and Michael Formanek-bassand is available in both CD and 180 gram LP formats. Having benefitted from much experience, and extensive study with the great Alan Dawson, Jeff has given jazz drumming instruction at a number of universities and currently teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Tom Challenger is a saxophonist, improviser and composer based in London. Having curated and composed for a variety of ensembles over the years, his current work explores improvisation in various guises, alongside developing composed works for various lineups. He has collaborated with the likes of Evan Parker, Charles Hayward, Ed Bennett, Byron Wallen, Kit Downes and Alex Hawkins, in addition to leading his own ensembles, such as Brass Mask. Recordings of improvised and written works are available on his label Sche-ima Recordings.
