Xhosa Cole

Xhosa needs no introduction to Birmingham Jazz, since he first performed live for us over ten years ago now.

Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year, Xhosa Cole is an embodiment of the success of numerous community arts programmes in Birmingham including the Midland Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jazzlines Ensemble and Birmingham Music Service.

Having grown up in Handsworth and first played the Tenor at Andy Hamilton's Ladywood Community Music School, he's now among a long legacy of Birmingham Saxophonists.

Xhosa has performed twice at the BBC Proms, Composed music for the Ripieno Players, a Birmingham Based String Orchestra, completed a 22 date UK tour, all alongside his studies as a scholar at Trinity Laban Conservatoire.

Xhosa Also received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Newcomer in 2019 and Jazz FM 'Breakthrough act of the year'.