K.O.K.O Josh Arcoleo

• 1Intro00:29
• 2CR003:28
• 3Smoke Jacket (feat. NYM)02:49
• 4Love Of The Music02:57
• 5Koko04:47
• 6WTW01:10
• Total Runtime15:40

Info for K.O.K.O

Josh Arcoleo is a composer, producer, and multi instrumentalist. He started touring with the legendary Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown, Van Morrison) when he was 16. At 18 he gained a place on the renowned jazz course at the Royal Academy of Music – where he graduated with a 1st class degree in 2011, that year also winning a Yamaha Parliamentary Jazz Scholarship and the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize. The latter being a recording contract with Edition Records. Josh‘s debut album ‘Beginnings’ was released in February 2012 to widespread critical acclaim, receiving 4* reviews in the Guardian and Evening Standard amongst others. He has also received awards from the EMI Music Sound Foundation and MBF Young Talent, and was nominated for the Jazz FM awards in the best newcomer category.

Josh has writing credits with artists such as Dan Kye, Snowpoet, and Native Dancer among others. As well as being a constant presence on the UK and European jazz scenes for more than a decade, Josh has toured and recorded extensively with artists such as Joss Stone, Michael Kiwanuka, Jordan Rakei, Jacob Collier, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Ghostpoet, Tony Allen, Ginger Baker to name a few. He is also a founding member of the UK band ‘Native Dancer’, who released their first album ‘Tides’ in 2020. After taking a few years away from releasing any music under his own name, Josh is releasing a new EP titled ‘K.O.K.O’ on E2 label.

Josh Arcoleo, saxophone, bass, synthesizer
Alex Arcoleo, piano, keyboards, synthesizer
James Maddren, drums on CR0, Love of the Music, Koko
Helen Arcoleo, flute on CR0 NYM, vocals on Smoke Jacket

Josh Arcoleo
Born into a musical family in 1989, Josh Arcoleo was fortunate to start saxophone lessons with legendary Pee Wee Ellis when he was 13. At the age of 18, he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music in London where he graduated in 2011, winning the Yamaha Jazz Scholarship and the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Award. Josh’s debut album Beginnings was released in February 2012 has been widely acclaimed. He has also received awards from the EMI Sound Music Foundation and MBF Young Talent, and has recently been nominated for the Jazz FM Award for Best Newcomer. Josh was also nominated for the 2012 London Jazz Award.

He started touring with Pee Wee when he was 16 years old with Assembly and the band Still Black Still Proud. With these bands, Josh has toured throughout Europe for three years.

In addition to leading his quartet with Ivo Neame (piano) Calum Gourlay (bass) and James Maddren (drums), Josh is a regular member in the following bands: Stan Sulzmann’s big band, Jeff Williams’ groups (with albums on Whirlwind Recordings), Dave Hamblett’s group (his debut released on Whirlwind), Mike Chillingworth’s band, Snowpoet, Native Dancer, as well as performs regularily with Nikki Iles, Steve Watts and Kit Downes.

As a session musician, Josh is a member of Rhino Horns with James Gardiner-Bateman on alto and William Rixon on trumpet. Rhino Horns currently touring with Joss Stone who has traveled to Europe, the United States, South America and Asia. They also played alongside Michael Kiwanuka, Katy B, Lianna La Havas, Ghostpoet, and many others.

Josh has worked with: Jason Rebello, Fred Wesley, Mark Mondesir, Michael Mondesir, Tony Allen, Ginger Baker, David Binney, John Hebert, John O’Gallagher, Duane Eubanks, Tony Royster Jnr, Raymond Angry, Ricky Jordan, Linley Marthe, James Taylor Quartet, David Berkman, Cheikh Lo, Peter Madsen, Get the Blessing, Fires Friendly, Vanessa Freeman, Tony Remy, Jamie Cullum, Guido May, Gareth Williams, Patrick and Martin Scales.

This album contains no booklet.