"The magnificent Lol Coxhill, whose snakey, slithering soprano saxophone has been stinging us since the seventies..." Frakture

A life in music: 1947 - ongoing

1947-50 Organising club sessions - 'live' contemporary jazz plus recordings of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Lennie Tristano, Miles Davis, Stan Kenton and others.

1951-52 Temporarily inconvenienced by National Service in the Royal Air Force.

1953-60 Activities include: Solo saxophone jazz/improvisations; member of Derek Gilbey Orchestra; member of Denzil Bailey's Afro-Cubists, playing originals and arrangements of compositions by Dizzy Gillespie, Machito and others; member of Graham Fleming Combo touring US air bases in England - Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker compositions and standards. Guesting with Oxford University Jazz Orchestra and established contemporary jazz players including Joe Harriott and Tubby Hayes.

1961-67 Activities include: Solo saxophone jazz/improvisations; member of Tony Knight's Chessmen (R&B, jazz) and Dave Hunt's R&B Band.

Touring and accompanying/supporting visiting American artists including Rufus Thomas (with TV and video release of 'Walking the Dog' and 'Jump Back') and Martha & The Vandellas, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Mose Allison; member of Gass - Soul/R&B with jazz solos; own and collective groups playing current jazz, Latin American and improvised music.

1968-72 Activities include: Solo saxophone/improvisations. Formed Delivery with Steve Miller, Jack Monck, Pip Pyle and Phil Miller (Blues, R&B, jazz improvisations); touring with Otis Spann, Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, Alexis Korner. Jamming with other visiting artists. Guest soloist with numerous groups. Member of The Whole World with Kevin Ayers, David Bedford, Mike Oldfield and numerous drummers. Coxhill/Bedford duo. Coxhill/Steve Miller duo. Gigs in England and Germany with Alexis Korner and the Original New Church.

1973-85 Activities include: Solo saxophone jazz/improivsations throughout GB plus Europe, USA, Japan and Canada. Numerous collaborations with improvisors, jazz musicians, rock related, blues and contemporary musicians. Member of Brotherhood of Breath - international big band based around compositions by the African members Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Harry Miller. Original member of the international improvising group Company with Derek Bailey, Steve Lacy, Evan Parker, Anthony Braxton. Member of The Recedents with Roger Turner and Mike Cooper - electro-acoustic improvisations. Member of Trevor Watts' Moire Music - multi-cultural big band compositions and improvisations. Occasional performances with Stan Tracey, Bobby Wellins, The Spontaneous Music Ensemble, The Damned, AMM.

1986-92 Activites include: Solo saxophone jazz/improvisations continue internationally. Collaborations with The Damned, Charles Barber & New Arts Consort, Balanescu String Quartet, G.F. Fitzgerald, Sound Affairs. Melody Four: Steve Beresford, Tony Coe & Coxhill - original and standard songs, film music, theatre performance, jazz, improvisations. Performances with The Flying Padovanis, The Recedents, Moire Music, AMM. Founded Bureau de Chance: collective of improvising musicians for formation of changing groups. Member of The Dedication Orchestra: playing new arrangements of compositions by Chris McGregor, Mongezi Feza, Harry Miller, Dudu Pukwana and Johnny Dyani. Duo with Pat Thomas - electro-acoustic melodies and improvisations. Soprano saxophone trio performances in Berlin with Steve Lacy and Evan Parker.

1993-96 Activities include: Solo saxophone jazz/improvisations continue internationally. Melody Four. Coxhill/Pat Thomas Duo. Numerous joint projects with other musicians, dancers, performance artists, film makers. Own occasional groups: Before My Time - contemporary variations on classic jazz themes; The Recedents; Standard Conversions - Coxhill vocals and saxophones with acompaniment. Performances with sound poetry group Birdyak. Coxhill/Steve Miller duo; The Dedication Orchestra; Charles Barber Band; New Arts Consort, Lol Coxhill Trio (improvisations); The Recedents. Numerous collaborations with contemporary musicians.

1997-ongoing Activities include: Solo saxophone/other activities continuing plus duos with Lu Edmunds, Veryan Weston, Pat Thomas, Howard Riley, Mike Walter, Knut Aufermann and Hugh Metcalfe; member of London Improvisers Orchestra, The Dedication Orchestra, The Recedents, Birdyak plus...