more from
Whirlwind Recordings
We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Blues for Maggie

by Zhenya Strigalev

/
  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    High quality, 4 panel digifile with a velvety soft-touch laminate finish

    Includes unlimited streaming of Blues for Maggie via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $10 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Comes with album artwork booklet PDF + album cover photo as a jpg
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

1.
2.
Pinky 06:34
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

about

PERSONNEL

Zhenya Strigalev - alto sax, soprano sax, alto box, electronics
Federico Dannemann - guitar
Linley Marthe - bass guitar, keyboards
Eric Harland - drums

ALBUM CREDITS

Recorded on 1st March 2017 at Paradox Jazz Club, Tilburg, Netherlands and 6th March 2017 at Porgy 'n' Bess Jazz Club Vienna.
Mixed by Alex Bonney
Mastered by Peter Beckmann
Produced by Zhenya Strigalev
Executive Producer - Michael Janisch
Artwork - IS Creative Studio
All compositions by Zhenya Strigalev except 'Pinky' (Pete Cochrane)

credits

released March 9, 2018

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Alto saxophonist and composer ​Zhenya Strigalev’s fourth album for Whirlwind Recordings – Blues for Maggie –​ brings together in-demand drummer Eric Harland (Dave Holland, Charles Lloyd, Joshua Redman), Mauritian bass virtuoso Linley Marthe (Joe Zawinul, Mino Cinelu, Richard Galliano) and award-winning Argentinian guitarist Federico Dannemann (Mark Elf, Peter Erskine, Valery Polomarev, Chico Cesar, Shakira).
​ ​
A departure from Strigalev's previous albums – recorded live, as well as featuring a guitarist in the line-up – it documents the saxophonist’s recent touring band which included Marthe and Harland, both of whom he introduced to each other and are now the rhythm section of choice for a number of artists including Chris Potter. Zhenya met South American guitarist Federico Dannemann over 14 years ago, during his time at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and they hit it off straight away, both musically and as friends. But after finishing the course, Federico returned to his home of Santiago, Chile. However, he remained the saxophonist’s favorite guitarist, possessing a rich and diverse musical knowledge combined with fluent technique and rhythm – exactly what Zhenya’s music is all about.

Blues for Maggie was recorded at two well-respected European venues – during the band’s concert at Porgy and Bess in Vienna, Austria and after their gig at Paradox in Tilburg, Netherlands – and consists of seven original compositions. Its title references dedicatee Maggie Black, a well-known figure in London due to her love of jazz music and undying support for its musicians. Maggie and Zhenya met at the jam at the famous Ronnie Scott’s, back in 2011, after she was blown away by his version of ‘Body and Soul’. Since then, they have become close friends and she has become Zhenya’s ‘Pannonica’ for her support, inspiration and patronage of his musical activities, including tours and albums (without which they wouldn’t have been possible). Black is a true adventurer and shines with a love of life – an inspirational example of how to be mentally strong, generous, how to stay authentic regardless of the situation, how to trust people whilst at the same time being honest. She likes to stay at shows until 3.00am and often goes to concerts and festivals in different countries, even in other continents.

The recording’s ebullient mood is heralded by sprightly reggae tune ‘Not Upset’, Strigalev on soprano also introducing his new creation, the ‘alto box’ (be ready for unorthodox sounds); and ‘Coda’ bookends the album with a different take on this. Soft, melodic yet cheeky ‘Wondering About Swing’ can, says the saxophonist, “be used at a retro dance party for cool daddies and grannies who never get old”, with further dance to warm the soul in quirkily electronic Latin-American groover ‘Happy Professors’. The story goes that Zhenya started playing this at a late set performance at Ronnie’s, and as Monty Alexander was on his way out, he stopped in his tracks to listen. “He liked it… hopefully you will, too”.

Strigalev and Dannemann shine in bubbling, funky ‘Little Struggle’, with the advice, “There is no struggle! Just enjoy the groove”; and following a brief collaboration with Indian tabla player, Pinky, in a trio with his Academy friend and bassist Pete Cochrane, Strigalev included ‘Pinky’ (composed by Cochrane) in his tours, garnering a great response. At the centrepiece of the album, and fabulously immersive across 20 minutes, is frisky ‘Take Off Socks’ featuring the snappy, trademark Marthe/Harland duo, with Eric soloing over Linley’s synchronized keyboard-and-bass accompaniment to create a whole new tune within Zhenya’s original.

Describing his ambition for this new release, Strigalev explains: “The goal was to capture our ‘breath’, along with our mistakes (you won’t notice them, I bet), our friendship and joy, our spontaneous musical decisions and interactional mastery, as well as a serious approach to music. All ways we like to express ourselves – responsible, fun… and with a happy ending!”

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

“Ebullient.”
Sandy Brown Jazz

“The overarching characteristics of Strigalev's music are sheer unfettered ebullience and total originality.”
★★★★ All About Jazz

“As flawlessly tight as you’d expect from such a team of international A-listers.”
Jazz Views

"An Impressionist masterpiece."
Die Presse

"​Strigalev plays with energy, enjoyment in making music​... Blues for Maggie is certainly one for those who appreciate virtuosi at work.​"
​Bebop Spoken Here

“Strigalev lays out as never before supported by his magnificent cast.”
Die Presse​

“Full of his zest for life and for music.”
Digitale Jazz Zeitung​

“The whole album thrumswith the joy of collective music making... jazz of the most funky variety.”
★★★★★​ ​Concerto Magazine​

“Fun, knowledge and virtuosity, Strigalev brings together the very best of bebop, modern jazz and fusion.”
Jazz Podium​

"It's a fiery, playful, plugged-in, effortlessly hip affair."
★★★★ Jazzwise Magazine

"Strigalev has long had a knack for conjuring big, frisky statements out of tight starting blocks... Inventive, fluent and thrilling... Serious fun."
★★★★ Evening Standard

​"A ​fresh mix of rock and funk​."
Musik an sich

"Smart, full of energy and teetering on the edge of irreverence."
Musikreviews Magazine

​"​This funky quartet shines with imagination.”
★★★★​ ​In Musi​c​

“Intuitive team play and soloing finesse... Simply terrific.”
★★★★ Saarbrücker Zeitung

“Brisk, bouncing and effects laden.”
Westzeit

“Seamless shifts between driving funk grooves and uncompromising powerplay.”
SWR2 Now Jazz Session

“Guitarist Dannemann and bandleader Strigalev ride the waves of Marthe's pumping bass lines and Harland's hugely grooving drum meshes - bopping, rocky and funky.”
Rondo

"Strigalev's latest evinces his characteristic mix of deep yet refreshed tradition with experimentation."
Jazz Journal

"Swings between improvisation and skilful interplay... The musicians' skills complement each other perfectly."
Der Hörspiegel

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Zhenya Strigalev Saint Petersburg, Russia

This is the Whirlwind artist page for Zhenya Strigalev, alto saxophonist & composer.

contact / help

Contact Zhenya Strigalev

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Zhenya Strigalev, you may also like: