Wed 25 April
Strigalev/Ramm Quartet - £15
Zhenya Strigalev, originally from St. Petersburg, has been playing from Jam sessions in grungy holes of St Petersburg to Kremlin in Moscow and the Purcell Room in London and has since established himself as one of London’s leading saxophonist. Zhenya has collaborated with many recognized UK and International musicians including Chris "Daddy" Dave, Foley, Sussan Dayhim, Robert Mitchell, John Paricjelli to name a few.
Nick Ramm is one of the most original voices on UK jazz scene. Over the years he worked closely with Byron Wallen, Marcina Arnold, Jade Fox and Jonny Philips. In the fall of 2008 he composed music for and directed The F-ire Collective Large Ensemble in a UK tour. Shortly after this he joined the Sir Tom Jones Band for a series of TV appearances promoting Jones's new album '24 Hours'.
The quartet plays compositions written by Strigalev and Ramm who are joined by Dave Whitford on double bass and Gene Calderazzo on drums.
Virtuosic improvisation, harmonic inventiveness, excellent swing and a clear melodic lines typical of Russian culture – this all distinguishes the band as well as realizes the previously unexplored potential between the St. Petersburg and London jazz sounds. The group's latest album "Off the Cut" was released on Baltic Music label and had a great response from both critics and the audience.
