NEVER GROUP is a new album and project by London based saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev, which presents original music from saxophonist Zhenya (played with Alex Sipiagin, Aaron Parks, Larry Grenadier, Matt Garrison, Chris "Daddy" Dave, Ambrose Akinmusire, "Foley" McCreary, etc).  "NEVER Group!" is a departure from Zhenya's last project, Smiling Organizm and "Robin Goodie", demonstrating musical sides that have never before been exposed in Zhenya's previous projects. 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."The line up for this concert is a new formation of Never Group which is going to be very special and includes top bassists Matt Penman and Matt Garrison as well as monster drummer Eric Harland. We can't describe what it is going to sound like, but expect the unexpectable including original swing/bepop, energizing grooves, free jazz and much more.

Selected recent press cuts:
"always it's a surreal, impressive brew" - ★★★★ Jazzwise
"A typical Strigalev collision of hip jazz virtuosity and surrealism... Strigalev's alto displays bebop agility, shivery lyricism, or sometimes a bluesy Ornetteish swerve." ★★★★ The Guardian
"An addictive mix of colourful vignettes... Strigalev's group could well be the next big thing in jazz."
★★★★ All About Jazz
"A maverick at the heart of modern jazz." ★★★★​ The Telegraph

"Addictively and explosively dynamic...one of the most exciting contemporary composers."
Jazzenzo Magazine