Xhosa Cole and Nathan England Jones: Breath of the Compassionate

A workshop and ramble with two extraordinary musicians performing alongside the wildlife and nature surrounding Snape Maltings.

Following his residency at Britten Pears Arts, saxophonist Xhosa Cole joins percussionist and sound artist, Nathan England Jones, to create a bespoke experience, performing in motion as artist and audience explore the extraordinary sensory landscape of Snape together. This is a one-off collaboration between two artists and an orchestra of wildlife and natural processes surrounding Snape Maltings.

Xhosa Cole and Nathan England Jones:: New music and improvisation (first performance) (90’)

Xhosa Cole saxophone
Nathan England Jones percussionist and sound artist

Nathan England Jones
Credit: Harry Clark

Main image: Xhosa Cole

Xhosa Cole
Winner of the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year, Xhosa Cole follows a long tradition of Birmingham saxophonists that includes Soweto Kinch and Shabaka Hutchings. Xhosa has performed twice at the BBC Proms, and received the Parliamentary Jazz Award for best newcomer in 2019 and Jazz FM breakthrough act of the year in 2020.

Xhosa Cole’s residency at Britten Pears Arts in May 2023 was a turning point in his already prolific career, providing him with the creative sustenance to seek new meaning in performance. A chance walk with his saxophone along the Sailor’s Path between Snape and Aldeburgh has led to this bespoke experience for the Aldeburgh Festival, devised alongside acclaimed sound artist and composer, Jason Singh.

Nathan England Jones
Nathan England Jones is a musician based in Birmingham. He is a graduate from the Birmingham Conservatoire Jazz course, where he studied with Andrew Bain, Clark Tracey and Jeff Williams and was awarded the Tony Levin Drum Prize in 2015. He has performed a diverse range of music; from playing on Radio 3 late night proms, to touring with electronic producer Ghost Culture, to featuring as a soloist in Birtwhistle's 'Panic' performed by Thallein Orchestra. He has played at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club and Corsica Studios, as well as Les Inrocks Festival and Cheltenham Jazz festival. He also performs regularly with bands Odmansbox and Zyggurat.