Jazz: Radhika de Saram Quartet

Radhika de Saram – bass guitar, Zhenya Strigalev – alto sax, Charles Kieny – accordion, Jamie Murray – drums

A new project from bassist and composer Radhika de Saram performing original compositions from her upcoming debut album, influenced by jazz, world music and Sri Lankan folk song and rhythm.

Radhika de Saram has toured with her band in various venues around Europe, Russia and Sri Lanka. She has recently recorded material for her debut album which will be out in September. Besides playing bass and composing Radhika freelances as a violinist in London, touring and recording with orchestras such as London Contemporary Orchestra and Chineke! Orchestra, and performs frequently in prestigious venues such as the Barbican, the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall amongst others.

Saxophonist Zhenya Strigalev has worked with some of today’s most forward-thinking musicians (including Eric Harland, Ambrose Akinmusire, Tim Lefebvre, Chris “Daddy” Dave, Alex Sipiagin, William Parker, Aaron Parks, Joseph “Foley” McCreary from Miles Davis fame, Larry Grenadier) and has appeared at many prestigious jazz festivals and concert venues, performing extensively in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Czech Republic, Austria, Britain, Switzerland, Chile, Argentina, Peru…He has recorded 4 albums with his groups Smiling Organizm and Never Group and his music is regularly played on BBC radio as well as national radio stations in Austria, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Australia, France. You can also see his concerts around the world on the French music TV station, Mezzo Live HD. He enjoys the challenge of shining a light on the undiscovered, and describes the desired on-the-edge thrill that unfolds: “The whole point of what I do is that I need to surprise myself”. “A maverick at the heart of modern jazz.” – ★★★★ The Telegraph

Charles Kieny is a French accordionist and composer based between London and Paris. Electronic sensors allow him to play synthesisers directly from his acoustic instrument. A graduate of the internationally renowned Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, he specialises in composition and improvisation in jazz and amplified music. Charles is always hunting for new experiences and musical cross-fertilisation: he can be heard playing in orchestral projects, as well as electronic music and jazz groups, or collaborating with live performance productions.

Drummer Jamie Murray is a forward-thinking and conceptual player, with a solid groove style yet an open-minded approach to free experimentation – his performances are always fresh and exhilarating! He has played and recorded with jazz giants including Sun Ra Arkestra Members Knoel Scott and Cecil Brooks as well as many other musicians in today’s jazz scene. Jamie’s current projects “JZ  Replacement” and “Beat Replacement” have enabled him to perform across the world in the jazz/crossover scene. Having performed with his own bands on a regular basis at Ronnie Scott’s and some major festivals including Love Supreme, Glastonbury & Afro punk in New York, Jamie Murray is a name to remember.  Recently Jazzwise magazine featured him in the “Shape of Jazz to come 2019” and “A drummer to watch out for”  in Rhythm drummer magazine. “Phenomenal UK drummer puts the fun back into fusion” – Jazzwise   “The most disrespectful drummer in London” – Chris Phillips JazzFm “A young killer” – Kurt Elling