Whispers of Rain/Across The Sea (Live) with Tony Kofi, Tulshi
Alina Bzhezhinska

Internationally acclaimed harpist Alina Bzhezhinska, renowned saxophonist Tony Kofi, and Ibiza-based producer Tulshi present ‘Whispers of Rain / Across The Sea (Live)’, the first single taken from the Bandcamp exclusive Whispers of Rain (Live) album released Friday 6th of March.

Captured in an intimate live setting, the release offers a powerful reimagining of two centrepiece compositions from Alina’s recent studio album, co-written with Tulshi. Stripped of studio layering and shaped by spontaneity, these live versions foreground the deep musical trust and intuitive dialogue between Alina and Tony, allowing the material to breathe and evolve in real time.

The title track ‘Whispers of Rain (Live)’ distils the emotional essence of the project. Meditative and fluid, it uses rain as a metaphor for renewal, loss and transformation, with Alina’s harp redefined as both rhythmic and melodic lead. Tony Kofi’s tenor saxophone enters with warmth and restraint, gradually unfolding, mirroring the natural ebb and flow of the piece. On the flip, ‘Across The Sea (Live)’ explores themes of distance, belonging and the pull of multiple homes. Here, subtle shifts in dynamics and tempo are guided by instinct rather than structure, with harp and saxophone moving in close conversation.

Recorded during performances celebrating the release of Whispers of Rain, the live album distils the emotional core of the project, a meditation on movement, with rain acting as a recurring metaphor for renewal, loss and transformation. Stripped back and expansive in equal measure, these live versions allow the music to unfold naturally in the moment.

Alina Bzhezhinska continues to expand the role of the harp in contemporary music. A composer, bandleader and collaborator, she has worked with artists including Brian Jackson, Chaka Khan, Shabaka Hutchings, DJ Spinna and Sly Johnson, and has performed at major international festivals and venues including Royal Albert Hall, Ronnie Scott’s, WOMADelaide and EFG London Jazz Festival. Her HipHarpCollective won Best Ensemble at the 2024 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, while her duet work with Tony Kofi has been described by DownBeat Magazine as “a masterpiece.”