"What a brilliant club" - Forbes 2025
THE VERDICT
APPJAG Jazz Venue of the Year 2024
The Verdict is a multi award winning grass roots music venue, the only full time Jazz venue outside of London in the south of England, it has been named as one of the best jazz clubs in the World by Star Insider. Weekly hosting the best in jazz music with Top International acts, playing blues, swing, funk, Latin Jazz and fusion.
Tony Kofi Masterclass
The Verdict Jazz Club is delighted to present an inspiring and inclusive masterclass with Tony Kofi, one of the UK’s most highly regarded jazz saxophonists and educators.
This session is open to musicians of all levels and instruments, from early-stage learners to advanced players and professionals. Whether you are new to jazz or looking to refine an established practice, Tony Kofi’s clear, practical, and deeply musical approach makes this masterclass accessible, engaging, and rewarding for everyone.
The class will explore essential elements of jazz musicianship, including improvisation, rhythm and time feel, tone, phrasing, listening skills, and repertoire. Tony will demonstrate how to develop ideas organically, connect technique to expression, and build confidence when playing with others. Emphasis will be placed on musical communication and finding a personal voice, regardless of experience level.
Participants will also gain insight into effective practice methods, how to approach learning tunes, and ways to continue developing outside formal education. Alongside musical content, Tony will share his experiences from a distinguished international career, offering valuable perspective on performance mindset, collaboration, and sustaining a life in music.
The masterclass will be interactive and discussion-based, with demonstrations and opportunities for questions throughout. Attendees are encouraged to listen actively, engage with the material, and take away practical ideas they can immediately apply to their own playing.
With places strictly limited to 25, this intimate session allows for close interaction and a supportive learning environment.
Early booking is recommended.A rare opportunity to learn from a master musician in one of the UK’s leading jazz venues
Tony Kofi and The Organisation celebrate Lou Donaldson
Tony Kofi (Alto Saxophone)
Pete Whittaker (Hammond Organ)
Pete Cater (Drums)
Simon Fernsby(Guitar)
"A killer band with real bite" Mark Youll Jazzwise
Returning to his first instrument, the Alto Saxophone, Tony Kofi joins the Organisation for a celebration of alto legend Lou Donaldson, whose roots in Bebop evolved into a mastery of the Soul Jazz movement instigated by the great Jimmy Smith and championed by Blue Note founder Alfred Lion. Playing Donaldson tunes, and focusing largely on his work with the Hammond organ maverick Dr Lonnie Smith, they will be playing tunes such as "Hotdog", "Blues Walk," “Good Gracious, “Alligator Bogaloo” and "Ode to Billy Jo" as well as associated compositions by Jimmy Smith, Pat Martino, Horace Silver
Tony Kofi Winner of the 2008 BBC Jazz Awards for Best instrumentalist, the playing career of saxophonist Tony Kofi began when he chanced upon a series of jazz workshops, run inLeicester by Nick Hislam. He won a scholarship to study at the legendary Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts,His fluent and fiery hard-bop style makes him constantly in demand. He currently leads his own Tony Kofi Quartet, Tony Kofi Sphinx Trio,Future Passed Trio and is also the co-founder with Jonathan Gee of the Monk LiberationFront, a group that is dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk. Tony’s latest projectsees him performing with Alex Webb’s Café Society Swing, Arnie Somogyi’s Jump Monk,Larry Bartley’s JustUS Quartet, Adrian Reid Quartet, a double leaders project with AlanBarnes called Aggregation, Orphy Robinson’s Bobby Hutcherson songbook project, Alina Bzhezhinska Quartet, Jo Harrop’s Fever, Portrait of Cannonball (Music dedicated to Cannonball Adderley)
Pete Whittaker (Hammond Organ)London-based jazz organist Pete Whittaker became fascinated with the Hammond organafter hearing the classic 1960s jazz recordings by the likes of Jimmy Smith, Richard "Groove" Holmes, and Jack McDuff. After a few years touring the western world with rockbands, Pete has in recent times been involved with several jazz projects including UK saxophonist Theo Travis' "Double Talk" and guitarist John Etheridge's "Blue Spirits". Peteis also regular member of the Nigel Price Organ Trio.
Pete Cater (Drums) ‘A gifted and versatile drummer, at home in any context’(Rough Guide to Jazz)Pete Cater is a natural self-taught drummer who has been playing since infancy. Although his 30 plus year professional career has encompassed almost the entire musical spectrum, it is his work as a big band drummer and leader that has secured his worldwide reputation. Pete first formed his own big band when still in his teens and of more recent years the Pete Cater Big Band has released three highly acclaimed Cds, broadcast on Radio 3, appeared at major jazz festivals across the UK, and they are doing an ongoing UK wide series of concerts commemorating the music ofthe late, great Buddy Rich. Pete’s big band expertise sees him in regular demand with a variety of large ensembles including the BBC big Band and the Back to Basie Orchestra.In addition Pete has worked with many international jazz stars in small band settings including Arturo Sandoval, Charlie Byrd, Benny Carter, Buddy De Franco, Terry Gibbs, AlCohn and currently works regularly with the legendary singer/pianist Buddy Greco. Pete remains in demand as a freelance player and educator with special emphasis on jazz and improvisation.
Simon Fernsby (Guitar) Simon moved to London in the early 80's. Initially working on the the rock and pop scene he has toured extensively in th UK, Europe, Scandanavia the former Yugoslavia, the US Canada and Japan. Headlining such prestigious venues as The Royal Abert Hall, theForum, Paris Olympia, the Whiskey a go go and the Universal Amphitheatre Los Angeles.Having also worked for EMI publishing, Phonogram RCA and Rough Trade his TV andRadio credits include The John Peel Show, Top of the Pops BBC 2's Late Show Channel4's the Word and BBC4's Kaleidoscope. After briefly studying with Dave Cliff he has worked with Brighton organist Dave Windross Soul jazz legaend Gary Baldwin, Roger Beaujolais, Sam Gambarini and Gareth Lockrane. With the Organisation he has worked with Bob Martin, Steve Fishwick, AlexGarnett and Dave O'Higgins amongst others. As part of the "7% Solution" Septet they have performed at Ealing Jazz Festival and play regularly at the Crypt of St Martin in the Fields.
James Morton Groove Den
James Morton - sax
Alex Hutchings - guitar
Anders Olinder - Organ
Francesco Mendolia - drums
Groove Den is a collaborative meeting of minds and the brainchild of James Morton, a heavyweight in Bristol's music scene. It delivers a fresh sound characterized by groove, soul, and musical innovation. Drawing on a diverse array of musical styles, including jazz, funk, hip-hop, soul, and rock, the unifying elements are groove and feel.
James, one of the most exciting saxophonists of his generation, and has performed and recorded with some of the music industry's most prolific artists, Including Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley and The New JB’s, George Clinton, The Herbaliser, Kasabian, Pendulum, and the NPG Horns (Prince), among others. He has also released two critically acclaimed albums: "The Kid" and "Don’t You Worry ‘Bout That."
On guitar, Alex Hutchings has been captivating international audiences with his distinctive, heartfelt playing and technical brilliance for over a decade. His recent accomplishments include a 150-date world tour with Steven Wilson (formerly of Porcupine Tree), which culminated in three nights at The Royal Albert Hall, released on DVD. Alex has also composed music for the BBC and has become a YouTube sensation, boasting nearly 100,000 followers on his channel.
The group's lineup is rounded out by powerhouse drummer Francesco Mendolia, the rhythmic backbone of funk supergroup Incognito, and Swedish funk and soul maestro Anders Olinder on Hammond Organ, known for his work with Glen Hughes and Pee Wee Ellis.
Featuring lyrical, funky, soulful saxophones, blistering guitar solos, and deep heavy grooves, Groove Den takes listeners on a journey from New Orleans to the urban streets of Bristol. Welcome to Groove Den.
