Formed 2017

Work Money Death is a Leeds-based spiritual jazz collective led by tenor saxophonist and composer Tony Burkill, who spent nearly three decades developing his playing in Leeds before making his first record. The debut, released on ATA Records in November 2017 under the name Tony Burkill, was co-written with bassist Neil Innes and drew on players from the Sorcerers, the Lewis Express and Nat Birchall's band. The name Work Money Death was adopted as the band identity from the second album onward. Burkill's stated influences run through Pharoah Sanders, Alice Coltrane, Sun Ra, Gato Barbieri and John Klemmer. "Thought, Action, Reaction, Interaction" (2022) added Steve Parry on trumpet, French horn and tuba to an already expanded lineup. "A Portal to Here" (2026) was their first recording following the death of guitarist Chris "Earl" Dawkins in 2025, recorded without a guitarist and with additional reeds, winds, brass, piano and harp instead. The group remains active and based in Leeds.