[Alt Jazz] Tereza Catarov Quintet [RO/UK]

A new instalment of the [ALT JAZZ] series takes place on Monday, May 18, at Control, in partnership with Jazz Unit, featuring Tereza Catarov in a quintet format.

Tereza Catarov brings a powerful and evocative blend of modern jazz sensibilities and the haunting beauty of Balkan folk traditions. Her music is a soul-stirring journey through memory, heritage, and the lives of the women who came before her. Rooted in both Romanian and Bulgarian cultures, she weaves ancient melodies and intricate rhythms into bold contemporary jazz arrangements, music that feels at once timeless and modern, rich in nuance, passion, and unmistakable identity.

The Quintet features Ivo Neame (UK), Cem Evin (Turkey), a guitarist praised by the British press and compared by London Jazz News to the legendary Pat Metheny; Misha Mullov-Abbado (UK), widely regarded as one of the most important young jazz musicians in Britain and a recipient of awards including BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist; and Billy Pod (Greece), an expressive drummer recognised for his distinctive technique and ranked among the top 10 drummers by the French magazine Batterie.

At the heart of her work lies Koren (meaning root), her debut album and a deeply personal artistic statement. Inspired by her grandmothers and the wider community of elders from her childhood, the record unfolds as a series of musical portraits: songs that honour lived experience, transmitted knowledge, and the emotional weight of inherited stories.These are not reconstructions of the past, but living songs, reimagined through a modern jazz lens.

Released to widespread acclaim, Koren was named one of the Essential Albums of 2025 by Peter Quinn (Jazzwise / Songlines) and selected among the year’s most significant releases in his annual roundup for The Arts Desk, praised for its depth, clarity of vision, and distinctive voice.

She has collaborated with musicians including David Binney, Jacob Collier, Kaya Thomas-Dyke, and Alex Simu, and has performed on major stages such as the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club London. EFG London Jazz Festival, Swingin’ Groningen, JazzX, Jazz in the Park, the Barbican, Southbank Centre, Vortex Jazz Club, and PizzaExpress Jazz Club Soho.

Listen: Tereza Catarov - Koren

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* Children up to 12 years old do not have access to the event.

** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.

*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.

**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.