Zhenya Strigalev, Alto Saxophone
Vitaly Golovnev, Trumpet
Liam Nobel, Piano
Tim Lefebvre, Electric Bass
Larry Grenadier, Double Bass
Eric Harland, Drums
'Smiling Organizm' is the debut Whirlwind Recordings release by Russian native, London based alto saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev. This project’s gestation began in late 2010 when Strigalev decided to head to New York for an extended stay, hunkering down on friends sofas and immersing himself in the city’s buzzing jazz scene. Returning the following summer he rehearsed, wrote and recorded his new project in June 2011. Bringing together a molten mix of swing, fusion, funk, ballads, free improv and hard-driving post-bop ’Smiling Organizm’ is a rollercoaster ride through today’s urban jazz jungle. It’s also buzzing with hook-laden melodies that ensnare your ear and won’t let go, be it opening blast of ‘Fletcher’, or the sneaky groove of ‘Anchovies’ or the sparse sax-and-bass intro melody of ‘Fairy Stairs’, this is music that’s as immediate as it is exciting.- Whirlwind Recordings
