The last time marlbank caught up with Russian alto saxophone ace Zhenya Strigalev was in east London jazz venue the Vortex on a very special occasion towards the end of last year. Strigalev was playing in very, very fast company. 

His Never Group that night was an all-star affair, Zhenya (think Charlie Parker on steroids) joined by his Smiling Organizm bandmate drummer Eric Harland known more widely for his work with the Charles Lloyd New Quartet on such great records as Mirror; plus bass guitarist Matt Garrison (touring with Jack DeJohnette and Ravi Coltrane this summer on the heels of their debut album); and completing the quartet the pianist Aaron Parks whose Arborescence was a significant achievement on release a few years back. Strigalev, who used to run the very popular jazz jams at Charlie Wright’s in Hoxton, had earlier in the year released Robin Goodie one of last year’s best UK jazz albums. 

Since then the Never Group with a different line-up released their debut, John Fordham in The Guardian commenting on their “bebop agility,” and “shivery lyricism” and Strigalev, who tours widely on the European jazz club scene, has been added to this summer’s Sligo Jazz Project festival strand joining The Impossible Gentlemen, Liane Carroll, Emilia Mårtensson and breakthrough Belfast pianist Scott Flanigan, whose solid trio debut Point of Departure was released late last year, among the line-up.

Strigalev’s Sligo Jazz appearance is in trio mode at the Riverside Hotel, Sligo at 1pm on Saturday 23 July. In his band are the man behind Whirlwind Records, Michael Janisch on double bass, and Barcelona scene drummer Marc Ayza.