Evening in the Universe

Hailing from a thriving London Jazz scene this up-and-coming group straddles many traditions and puts on a show that leaves audiences astounded. Soaring Saxophone melodies over Senegalese percussion combine with modern effects and soundscapes to create an expansive quality which firmly plants it in a neighbourhood of its own. Described as trance-like, the timbre of Evening in the Universe's performances create a feeling of ancient rhythm in fascinating new garb. Reflecting the unparalleled multicultural demographic of London in 2024, EITU’s instrumentation & members draw from a wide range of traditions that would only be possible in this time and this place. It’s possible to define the music as European jazz in its form and explorative nature but the entire sound is somewhere closer to the texture of Senegalese percussive musics. This combined with a modern understanding of effects and soundscapes gives the sound an expansive quality which firmly plants EITU in a neighbourhood of its own. Described as trance-like, the timbre of this group’s performances create a feeling of tribal movement. The talking-drum (Sean Quinn) and junk instruments (a bizarre mix recycled gas canisters & metal detritus courtesy of Saul Eisenburg) and the standard drum kit (Filippo Galli) combine to create a living, breathing percussion section that often sounds as alive as an undulating marketplace. This bedrock of imaginative and unique rhythm section playing is answered by the Double bass (JJ Stillwell) and Saxophone (Tashomi Balfour). Together these two instrumentalists weave a story for the listener with stunning interplay and purpose, out of the hubbub of movement comes narrative and purpose. Set within the sea of sound that they find themselves in it’s often the simplest of melodies that ring through the maelstrom, like a sermon delivered in a crowded street or a quiet evening in a peaceful corner of a wild universe. These musicians stun audiences into contemplation and feverish dance from one composition to the next and the elements of freedom and unpredictability ensure that story is never the same twice.