Zhenya Strigalev (UK,RU) – sax
Linley Marthe (MU) – bass
Eric Harland (USA) – drums
Federico Dannemann (ARG) - guitar

Its an honour to have Zhenya Strigalev return to the Zig Zag with this astonishing line up of some the of the most renowned musicians of our times. Experiening Linley Marthe and Eric Harland together is an unforgettable event so make sure not to miss out on this one!!!

“It can be fast and furious, tender and emotional and a whole lot of fun too, for the listener as well as the musicians. How many jazz recordings can you say that about these days?” 4 Stars, Jazzwise Magazine

Today we announce a new album and a new project by Zhenya Strigalev (Aaron Parks, Larry Grenadier, Matt Garrison, Chris "Daddy" Dave, Ambrose Akinmusire, , etc). The line-up for this CD release tour will consist of one of the most in demand drummer extraordinaire Eric Harland (Dave Holland, Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman), Mauritian bass virtuoso Linley Marthe (Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Richard Galliano) and Chilean based Argentinean award winning guitarist Federico Dannemann (Mark Elf, Peter Erskine,Valery Polomarev, Chico Cesar, Shakira). "NEVER GROUP!" (the name of the album) is a departure from Zhenya's last projects, Smiling Organizm and "Robin Goodie", demonstrating musical sides that have never before been exposed. 
Building a reputation on both sides of the North Atlantic for his adventurous and impassioned emphasis on improvisation, Never Group! is an experience that matches quirky abandon with resolute musicianship and technicality. Strigalev enjoys the challenge of shining a light on the undiscovered and describes the desired on-the-edge thrill that unfolded from the Never Group! sessions: “The whole point of what I do is that I need to surprise myself; I don’t want to record something which sounds exactly like this or like that, because that’s not interesting enough for me. Sometimes I can simply feel a tempo, a mood or an atmosphere, and I know this quartet will provide the opportunity to develop that.”
You can listen to some of the new album here: http://www.whirlwindrecordings.com/never-group/

Never Group video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwGAa5jiiEE

Selected Press cuts: 

“At the root of it all is Strigalev, whose compositions are so strong that they live up to the talents of the musical titans who join him on this CD. This could be the kind of jazz album that has something for everyone, not out of some sense of catering to the crowd, but because the mood it creates is so universally appealing.” 4.5 Stars, Downbeat Magazine. The best albums of 2015. 

“Alto saxist Zhenya Strigalev juices up retro-minded postbop with cutting-edge grooves and madcap intensity on his excellent latest, Robin Goodie.” TimeOut, New York critic's pick 

“Expands upon the promise exhibited by the first Smiling Organizm record. An album that is once again bursting with ideas.” 4 Stars, The Jazz Mann

“Everything is exuberantly, madly creative… All six musicians play with verve and power, the horn section parts being particularly fruity, and the album doesn’t really have any low points, just lots of surprises all the way to the end.”
The Jazz Breakfast 

“This is no stretch limousine of glossy, forgettable soft jazz, but rather an impassioned outpouring of the sax man’s quirky, raw, yet ultimately tuneful creations as composer and instrumentalist…. Crank it up.” - AP Reviews 

“Countless shades and colors, and new ones open up with each listening. Intoxicating!” - Jazz Thing Magazine

“Together with his Smiling Organizm Group consisting of American musicians, some of even Blue Note fame, the exceptional musicians embark on a journey through the depths of jazz expressiveness and combines them with unpolished harmonies and quirky guitar runnings, creating a unique sound world of electronic effects, distorted noise and hectic swing styles. No simple feat, but exceedingly tasty!” - In Music

“Sometimes a CD seems to fall straight from the sky… Strigalev has generated a veritable personal style while surfing through the entire history of jazz… The only certainty is that this music has humor and is highly musical.” - Stereo

“Smiling Organizm is one of the most interesting formations in recent years.” - Boblinger Bote

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