John Surman
Encyclopedia
John Douglas Surman is an English
jazz
saxophone
, bass clarinet
and synthesizer
player, and composer of free jazz
and modal jazz
, often using themes from folk music
as a basis. He has also composed and performed much music for dance performances and film soundtracks.
in the Mike Westbrook
Band in the mid-1960s. He was soon heard regularly playing soprano saxophone
and bass clarinet
as well. His first playing issued on a record was with the Peter Lemer
Quintet in 1966. After further recordings and performances with jazz bandleaders Mike Westbrook
and Graham Collier
and blues-rock musician Alexis Korner
, he made the first record under his own name in 1968.
In 1969 he founded the well-regarded and influential group The Trio along with two expatriate American musicians, bassist Barre Phillips
and drummer Stu Martin
. In the mid-1970s he founded one of the earliest all-saxophone jazz groups, S.O.S., along with alto saxophonist Mike Osborne
and tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore
. During this early period he also recorded with (among others) saxophonist Ronnie Scott
, guitarist John McLaughlin
, bandleader Michael Gibbs
, trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff
, and pianist Chris McGregor
's Brotherhood of Breath
.
By 1972 he had begun experimenting with synthesizers. That year he recorded Westering Home, the first of several solo projects on which he played all parts himself via overdubbing
. He recorded his final album with Mike Westbrook
, Citadel/Room 315 in 1975.
Many of the musical relationships he established during the 1970s have continued to the present. These include a quartet with pianist John Taylor
, bassist Chris Laurence
, and drummer John Marshall
; duets and other projects with Norwegian singer Karin Krog
; and duets and other projects with American drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette
.
His relationship with ECM Records
has also been continuous from the late 1970s to the present, as Surman has recorded prolifically for the label playing bass clarinet, recorders, soprano and baritone saxophones and using synthesisers, both solo with a wide range of other musicians.
In recent years he has composed several suites of music that feature his playing in unusual contexts, including with church organ and chorus (Proverbs and Songs, 1996); with a classical string quintet (Coruscating); and with the London Brass and Jack DeJohnette (Free and Equal, 2001). He has also played in a unique trio with Tunisia
n oud
-player Anouar Brahem
and bassist Dave Holland
(Thimar, 1997); has performed the songs of John Dowland
with singer John Potter
formerly of the Hilliard Ensemble
; and made contributions to the drum and bass
album Disappeared
by Spring Heel Jack
.
Other musicians he has worked with include bassist Miroslav Vitous
, bandleader Gil Evans
, pianist Paul Bley
, guitarists Terje Rypdal
and John Abercrombie and trumpeter Tomasz Stańko
.
With Paul Bley
With Anouar Brahem
With Mick Goodrick
With John McLaughlin
With Barre Phillips
With John Potter
With Tomasz Stańko
With Miroslav Vitous
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
, bass clarinet
Bass clarinet
The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B , but it plays notes an octave below the soprano B clarinet...
and synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
player, and composer of free jazz
Free jazz
Free jazz is an approach to jazz music that was first developed in the 1950s and 1960s. Though the music produced by free jazz pioneers varied widely, the common feature was a dissatisfaction with the limitations of bebop, hard bop, and modal jazz, which had developed in the 1940s and 1950s...
and modal jazz
Modal jazz
Modal jazz is jazz that uses musical modes rather than chord progressions as a harmonic framework. Originating in the late 1950s and 1960s, modal jazz is characterized by Miles Davis's "Milestones" Kind of Blue and John Coltrane's classic quartet from 1960–64. Other important performers include...
, often using themes from folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
as a basis. He has also composed and performed much music for dance performances and film soundtracks.
Life and career
He initially gained recognition playing baritone saxophoneBaritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone, often called "bari sax" , is one of the largest and lowest pitched members of the saxophone family. It was invented by Adolphe Sax. The baritone is distinguished from smaller sizes of saxophone by the extra loop near its mouthpiece...
in the Mike Westbrook
Mike Westbrook
Michael John David 'Mike' Westbrook is an English jazz pianist, composer, and writer of orchestrated jazz pieces.-Early work:Mike Westbrook grew up in Torquay...
Band in the mid-1960s. He was soon heard regularly playing soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
and bass clarinet
Bass clarinet
The bass clarinet is a musical instrument of the clarinet family. Like the more common soprano B clarinet, it is usually pitched in B , but it plays notes an octave below the soprano B clarinet...
as well. His first playing issued on a record was with the Peter Lemer
Peter Lemer
Peter Lemer is an English jazz musician. He worked with the Pete Lemer Quintet, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Annette Peacock, Harry Beckett, Gilgamesh, Baker Gurvitz Army, Seventh Wave, Harry Beckett's Joy Unlimited, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, Mike Oldfield Group, In Cahoots, Miller/Baker/Lemer...
Quintet in 1966. After further recordings and performances with jazz bandleaders Mike Westbrook
Mike Westbrook
Michael John David 'Mike' Westbrook is an English jazz pianist, composer, and writer of orchestrated jazz pieces.-Early work:Mike Westbrook grew up in Torquay...
and Graham Collier
Graham Collier
James Graham Collier OBE was an English jazz bassist, bandleader and composer.-Life and career:Born in Tynemouth, Northumberland, on leaving school Collier joined the British Army as a musician, spending three years in Hong Kong...
and blues-rock musician Alexis Korner
Alexis Korner
Alexis Korner was a blues musician and radio broadcaster, who has sometimes been referred to as "a Founding Father of British Blues"...
, he made the first record under his own name in 1968.
In 1969 he founded the well-regarded and influential group The Trio along with two expatriate American musicians, bassist Barre Phillips
Barre Phillips
Barre Phillips is a jazz and free improvisation bassist. A professional musician since 1960, he migrated to New York City in 1962, then to Europe in 1967. Since 1972 he has been based in southern France....
and drummer Stu Martin
Stu Martin (drummer)
Stu Martin was an American jazz drummer.Martin began playing in 1956. He was appearing with the orchestras of Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson and with Herbie Hancock...
. In the mid-1970s he founded one of the earliest all-saxophone jazz groups, S.O.S., along with alto saxophonist Mike Osborne
Mike Osborne
Michael Evans Osborne was an English jazz alto saxophonist, pianist and clarinetist, perhaps most noteworthy for his contributions as a member to the Chris McGregor band Brotherhood of Breath in the 1960s and 1970s.He was born in Hereford and attended Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire and the...
and tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore
Alan Skidmore
Alan Skidmore is a tenor saxophonist of jazz and blues music, son of the saxophonist Jimmy Skidmore.-As a sideman:...
. During this early period he also recorded with (among others) saxophonist Ronnie Scott
Ronnie Scott
Ronnie Scott was an English jazz tenor saxophonist and jazz club owner.-Life and career:Ronnie Scott was born in Aldgate, east London, into a family of Russian Jewish descent on his father's side, and Portuguese antecedents on his mother's. Scott began playing in small jazz clubs at the age of...
, guitarist John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin (musician)
John McLaughlin , also known as Mahavishnu John McLaughlin, is an English guitarist, bandleader and composer...
, bandleader Michael Gibbs
Michael Gibbs (jazz composer)
Michael Clement Irving Gibbs is a jazz composer, conductor, arranger and producer as well as a trombonist and keyboardist....
, trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff
Albert Mangelsdorff
Albert Mangelsdorff was one of the most accredited and innovative trombonists of modern jazz who became famous for his distinctive technique of playing multiphonics.-Biography:...
, and pianist Chris McGregor
Chris McGregor
Christopher McGregor , was a South African jazz pianist, bandleader and composer born in Somerset West, South Africa.- Early influences :...
's Brotherhood of Breath
Brotherhood of Breath
The Brotherhood of Breath was a big-band created in the late 1960s by South African pianist/composer Chris McGregor , essentially an extension of McGregor's previous band The Blue Notes....
.
By 1972 he had begun experimenting with synthesizers. That year he recorded Westering Home, the first of several solo projects on which he played all parts himself via overdubbing
Overdubbing
Overdubbing is a technique used by recording studios to add a supplementary recorded sound to a previously recorded performance....
. He recorded his final album with Mike Westbrook
Mike Westbrook
Michael John David 'Mike' Westbrook is an English jazz pianist, composer, and writer of orchestrated jazz pieces.-Early work:Mike Westbrook grew up in Torquay...
, Citadel/Room 315 in 1975.
Many of the musical relationships he established during the 1970s have continued to the present. These include a quartet with pianist John Taylor
John Taylor (jazz)
John Taylor is a British jazz pianist; he has occasionally performed on the organ and the synthesiser. He is one of Europe's most celebrated jazz pianists and composers.-Performing career:...
, bassist Chris Laurence
Chris Laurence
Chris Laurence is an English jazz double bassist born in London, perhaps most noteworthy for his 1980s work in various trios with Tony Oxley ....
, and drummer John Marshall
John Stanley Marshall
John Stanley Marshall, better known as John Marshall, born 28 August 1941 in Isleworth, Middlesex, is an English drummer. He was a founding member of the jazz rock band Nucleus and has worked with various other jazz and rock bands and musicians, among them J.J...
; duets and other projects with Norwegian singer Karin Krog
Karin Krog
Karin Krog is a Norwegian jazz vocalist.- Life and career :She started to sing at an early age and in 1955 she was hired by the pianist Kjell Karlsen to sing in his sextet.Her great grandfather is Anders Heyerdahl...
; and duets and other projects with American drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette
Jack DeJohnette
Jack DeJohnette is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. He is one of the most influential jazz drummers of the 20th century, due to extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians like Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett and Sonny...
.
His relationship with ECM Records
ECM (record label)
ECM is a record label founded in Munich, Germany, in 1969 by Manfred Eicher. While ECM is best known for jazz music, the label has released a wide variety of recordings, and ECM's artists often refuse to acknowledge boundaries between genres...
has also been continuous from the late 1970s to the present, as Surman has recorded prolifically for the label playing bass clarinet, recorders, soprano and baritone saxophones and using synthesisers, both solo with a wide range of other musicians.
In recent years he has composed several suites of music that feature his playing in unusual contexts, including with church organ and chorus (Proverbs and Songs, 1996); with a classical string quintet (Coruscating); and with the London Brass and Jack DeJohnette (Free and Equal, 2001). He has also played in a unique trio with Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
n oud
Oud
The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
-player Anouar Brahem
Anouar Brahem
Anouar Brahem is an oud player and composer. He is widely acclaimed as an innovator in his field...
and bassist Dave Holland
Dave Holland
Dave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
(Thimar, 1997); has performed the songs of John Dowland
John Dowland
John Dowland was an English Renaissance composer, singer, and lutenist. He is best known today for his melancholy songs such as "Come, heavy sleep" , "Come again", "Flow my tears", "I saw my Lady weepe" and "In darkness let me dwell", but his instrumental music has undergone a major revival, and has...
with singer John Potter
John Potter (musician)
-Life:John Potter's musical education began as a chorister at King's College Cambridge, after which he became a scholar at The King's School, Canterbury and exhibitioner at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
formerly of the Hilliard Ensemble
Hilliard Ensemble
The Hilliard Ensemble is a British male vocal quartet originally devoted to the performance of early music. Founded in 1974, the group is named after the Elizabethan miniaturist painter Nicholas Hilliard....
; and made contributions to the drum and bass
Drum and bass
Drum and bass is a type of electronic music which emerged in the late 1980s. The genre is characterized by fast breakbeats , with heavy bass and sub-bass lines...
album Disappeared
Disappeared (album)
Disappeared is an album by English electronic duo Spring Heel Jack. The album was released by Thirsty Ear on August 22, 2000.-Track listing:# "Rachel Point" - 6:31# "Mit Wut" - 7:06...
by Spring Heel Jack
Spring Heel Jack
Spring Heel Jack is an English electronic music group consisting of John Coxon and Ashley Wales.Formed in 1993 in London, England, Spring Heel Jack began their career exploring drum and bass and jungle, but have since branched out into free improvisation and jazz, collaborating with many acclaimed...
.
Other musicians he has worked with include bassist Miroslav Vitous
Miroslav Vitouš
Miroslav Ladislav Vitouš , is a Czech jazz bassist.-Biography:Born in Prague, he began the violin at age six, and started playing the piano at age ten, and bass at fourteen. As a young man in Europe, Vitouš was a competitive swimmer. One of his early music groups was the Junior Trio with his...
, bandleader Gil Evans
Gil Evans
Gil Evans was a jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader, active in the United States...
, pianist Paul Bley
Paul Bley
Paul Bley, CM is a pianist known for his contributions to the free jazz movement of the 1960s as well as his innovations and influence on trio playing.-Biography:...
, guitarists Terje Rypdal
Terje Rypdal
Terje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. Most of his music has been released on albums of the German record label ECM. Rypdal has collaborated both as a guitarist and as a composer with other ECM artists such as Ketil Bjørnstad and David Darling...
and John Abercrombie and trumpeter Tomasz Stańko
Tomasz Stanko
Tomasz Stańko is a Polish trumpeter, composer and improviser. Often recording for ECM, Stańko is strongly associated with free jazz and the avant-garde....
.
As leader
- John Surman (1968) - his debut album, acoustic jazz with Caribbean rhythms - Deram RecordsDeram RecordsDeram Records was a subsidiary record label established in 1966 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom. At this time U.K. Decca was a completely different company than the Decca label in the United States, which was then owned by MCA Inc. Deram recordings were also distributed in the U.S. through...
- Way Back When (1969) - free-jazz jam session with John Taylor on electric piano, drummer John MarshallJohn Stanley MarshallJohn Stanley Marshall, better known as John Marshall, born 28 August 1941 in Isleworth, Middlesex, is an English drummer. He was a founding member of the jazz rock band Nucleus and has worked with various other jazz and rock bands and musicians, among them J.J...
and saxophonist Mike OsborneMike OsborneMichael Evans Osborne was an English jazz alto saxophonist, pianist and clarinetist, perhaps most noteworthy for his contributions as a member to the Chris McGregor band Brotherhood of Breath in the 1960s and 1970s.He was born in Hereford and attended Wycliffe College in Gloucestershire and the...
. - Glancing Backwards - anthology of his recordings for Dawn RecordsDawn RecordsDawn Records was a subsidiary of Pye Records. Active from 1970 to 1975, it was set up largely as Pye's 'underground and progressive' label, a rival of the EMI and Phonogram equivalents, Harvest and Vertigo....
(1969–1976), with The Trio and others. The anthology includes the albums The Trio by The Trio, Conflagration with the Trio as part of a larger group including Dave HollandDave HollandDave Holland is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for 40 years....
, Nick EvansNick Evans (trombonist)Nicholas "Nick" Evans is a Welsh jazz and progressive rock trombonist.- Career :He worked in the Graham Collier Sextet , Keith Tippett Group , Soft Machine , Brotherhood of Breath , Centipede , Just Us , Ambush , Ninesense , Intercontinental Express , Ark Nicholas "Nick" Evans (born 1947 in...
and trumpeter Kenny WheelerKenny WheelerKenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC is a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. since the 1950s....
and Live at Woodstock Town Hall, a duet with drummer Stu MartinStu Martin (drummer)Stu Martin was an American jazz drummer.Martin began playing in 1956. He was appearing with the orchestras of Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson and with Herbie Hancock... - Tales Of The Algonquin (1971) with Canadian saxist John WarrenJohn WarrenJohn Warren may refer to:*John Warren, 3rd Baron de Tabley , third and last Baron de Tabley*John Warren , retired NBA player*John A...
along with British musicians Alan SkidmoreAlan SkidmoreAlan Skidmore is a tenor saxophonist of jazz and blues music, son of the saxophonist Jimmy Skidmore.-As a sideman:...
, Wheeler and Osborne. - Westering Home (1972)
- Morning Glory (1973) with Terje RypdalTerje RypdalTerje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. Most of his music has been released on albums of the German record label ECM. Rypdal has collaborated both as a guitarist and as a composer with other ECM artists such as Ketil Bjørnstad and David Darling...
- Upon ReflectionUpon ReflectionUpon Reflection is a solo album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1979 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars calling it "an atmospheric solo set that utilizes overdubbing .....
(ECM, 1979) - overdubbed solo improvisations - The Amazing Adventures of Simon SimonThe Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon- Credits :* Artwork design: Susan Nash* Engineer: Jan Erik Kongshaug* Photography: Christian Vogt, Gérard Amsellem- Reception :* Allmusic: [ link]- External links :* at discogs.com...
(ECM, 1981) duet with Jack DeJohnetteJack DeJohnetteJack DeJohnette is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. He is one of the most influential jazz drummers of the 20th century, due to extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians like Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett and Sonny... - Such Winters of MemorySuch Winters of MemorySuch Winters of Memory is an album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1982 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael G...
(ECM, 1982) - Withholding PatternWithholding PatternWithholding Pattern is a solo album by English saxophonist John Surman, released on the ECM label in 1985.The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn awards the album 4 stars and states "Saxophone workout from '85 by outstanding British player John Surman. While solo sax can be extremely tiring, Surman mixes...
(ECM, 1985) - solo - Private CityPrivate CityPrivate City is a solo album by English saxophonist John Surman, released on the ECM label in 1987.The Allmusic review by Michael G. Nastos awards the album 4 stars and states "This album, a fully realized project, has Surman exploiting all of the timbres and tones available to him in a manner he...
(ECM, 1987) - overdubbed solo improvisations, playing saxophones, recorders, bass clarinet and keyboards - Road to Saint IvesRoad to Saint IvesRoad to Saint Ives is a solo album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1990 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stacia Proefrock awarded the album 4 stars stating "a gentle, introspective, yet adventurous solo work...
(ECM, 1990) - solo, overdubbed layers of soprano and baritone saxophone and bass clarinet - Adventure PlaygroundAdventure Playground (album)Adventure Playground is an album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring Paul Bley, Gary Peacock and Tony Oxley recorded in 1991 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 4 stars....
(ECM, 1991) - with Paul BleyPaul BleyPaul Bley, CM is a pianist known for his contributions to the free jazz movement of the 1960s as well as his innovations and influence on trio playing.-Biography:...
, Gary PeacockGary PeacockGary Peacock is an American jazz double-bassist.-Biography:After military service in Germany, in the early sixties he worked on the west coast with Barney Kessel, Bud Shank, Paul Bley and Art Pepper, then moved to New York. He worked there with Bley, the Bill Evans trio , and Albert Ayler's trio...
, and Tony OxleyTony OxleyTony Oxley is an English free-jazz drummer and one of the founders of Incus Records.-Biography:Tony Oxley was born in Sheffield, England. A self-taught pianist by age eight, he first began playing the drums at seventeen. While in the Black Watch military band from 1957 to 1960 he studied music... - The Brass ProjectThe Brass ProjectThe Brass Project is an album by English saxophonist John Surman with a brass section conducted by John Warren recorded in 1992 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1992) with John Warren - Stranger than FictionStranger than Fiction (John Surman album)Stranger than Fiction is an album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring John Taylor, Chris Laurence and John Marshall recorded in 1993 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1994) - as the John Surman Quartet with John TaylorJohn Taylor (jazz)John Taylor is a British jazz pianist; he has occasionally performed on the organ and the synthesiser. He is one of Europe's most celebrated jazz pianists and composers.-Performing career:...
, Chris LaurenceChris LaurenceChris Laurence is an English jazz double bassist born in London, perhaps most noteworthy for his 1980s work in various trios with Tony Oxley ....
, and John Marshall - Nordic QuartetNordic QuartetNordic Quartet is an album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring Karin Krog, Terje Rypdal and Vigleik Storaas recorded in 1994 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1994) with Karin KrogKarin KrogKarin Krog is a Norwegian jazz vocalist.- Life and career :She started to sing at an early age and in 1955 she was hired by the pianist Kjell Karlsen to sing in his sextet.Her great grandfather is Anders Heyerdahl...
, Terje RypdalTerje RypdalTerje Rypdal is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. Most of his music has been released on albums of the German record label ECM. Rypdal has collaborated both as a guitarist and as a composer with other ECM artists such as Ketil Bjørnstad and David Darling...
and Vigleik Storaas - A Biography of the Rev. Absalom DaweA Biography of the Rev. Absalom DaweA Biography of the Rev. Absalom Dawe is a solo album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1994 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1995) - overdubbed solo clarinets, saxophones and keyboards. - Proverbs and SongsProverbs and SongsProverbs and Songs is a live album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring a suite of choral settings of Old Testament texts. It was recorded in 1996 at Salisbury Cathedral with organist John Taylor and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1997) - CoruscatingCoruscatingCoruscating is an album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1999 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4½ stars stating "Coruscating is one of the finer moments in an already stellar career...
(ECM, 1999) with the Trans4mation String Quartet and bassist Chris LaurenceChris LaurenceChris Laurence is an English jazz double bassist born in London, perhaps most noteworthy for his 1980s work in various trios with Tony Oxley .... - Invisible NatureInvisible NatureInvisible Nature is a live album by English saxophonist John Surman and American drummer Jack DeJohnette recorded in Tampere and Berlin in 1999 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 2000) - Free and EqualFree and EqualFree and Equal is a live album by English saxophonist John Surman featuring American drummer Jack DeJohnette and the London Brass recorded in Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in 2001 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 2002) - The Spaces in BetweenThe Spaces in BetweenThe Spaces in Between is an album by English saxophonist John Surman recorded in 2006 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 4 stars stating "Surman may not record quite so regularly as he once did, but given how rich, varied, and thoroughly...
(2006) - the revival of the Coruscating jazz-classical collaboration with a string quartet, with bassist Chris Laurence. - Rain on the WindowRain on the WindowRain on the Window is an album by English saxophonist John Surman with organist Howard Moody recorded in 2006 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Michael G...
(2008) with organist Howard Moody - Brewster's RoosterBrewster's RoosterBrewster's Rooster is an album by English saxophonist John Surman with guitarist John Abercrombie, drummer Jack DeJohnette, and bassist Drew Gress recorded in 2007 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(2009) with Jack DeJohnetteJack DeJohnetteJack DeJohnette is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. He is one of the most influential jazz drummers of the 20th century, due to extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians like Miles Davis, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett and Sonny...
, John AbercrombieJohn Abercrombie (guitarist)John Abercrombie is an American jazz guitarist, whose work often explores jazz fusion and post bop. Abercrombie has played with Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker...
and Drew GressDrew GressDrew Gress is an American jazz double-bassist and composer born in Trenton, New Jersey, raised in the Philadelphia area, and currently based in New York City.-Biography:...
As sideman
With John AbercrombieJohn Abercrombie (guitarist)
John Abercrombie is an American jazz guitarist, whose work often explores jazz fusion and post bop. Abercrombie has played with Billy Cobham, Jack DeJohnette, Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker...
- NovemberNovember (album)November is an album by guitarist John Abercrombie with saxophonist John Surman, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Peter Erskine recorded in 1992 and released on the ECM label-Reception:...
(ECM, 1992)
With Paul Bley
Paul Bley
Paul Bley, CM is a pianist known for his contributions to the free jazz movement of the 1960s as well as his innovations and influence on trio playing.-Biography:...
- FragmentsFragments (album)Fragments is an album by Canadian jazz pianist Paul Bley recorded in 1986 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Cook awarded the album 4 stars stating "this 1986 session ranks high among his many solo and group outings for the label.....
(ECM, 1986) - In the Evenings Out ThereIn the Evenings Out ThereIn the Evenings Out There is an album by pianist Paul Bley, bassist Gary Peacock, drummer Tony Oxley and saxophonist John Surman recorded in 1991 and released on the ECM label in 1993.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1991)
With Anouar Brahem
Anouar Brahem
Anouar Brahem is an oud player and composer. He is widely acclaimed as an innovator in his field...
- ThimarThimarThimar is an album by Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem recorded in 1997 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Raymond McKinney awarded the album 4 stars stating it "superbly fuses the traditions of jazz with those of Arab classical music, pushing the parameters of both...
(ECM, 1997)
With Mick Goodrick
Mick Goodrick
Mick Goodrick is an American post bop jazz guitarist and educator most noteworthy for his work with vibraphonist Gary Burton's band from 1973 to 1976, where for part of that time he was playing alongside guitarist Pat Metheny...
- In Pas(s)ingIn Pas(s)ingIn Pasing is the debut album by guitarist Mick Goodrick recorded in 1978 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Ron Wynn awarded the album 4½ stars calling it "a strong set that had fusion, straight-ahead, and even almost free pieces".-Track listing:# "Feebles, Fables and...
(ECM, 1979)
With John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin may refer to:*John McLaughlin , Scottish professional footballer who played for Clyde, Greenock Morton, Millwall, Dunfermline Athletic and Motherwell...
- ExtrapolationExtrapolation (album)Extrapolation is the debut album by Jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. It was recorded at Advision Studios in London on January 18, 1969 and first released later that year by Giorgio Gomelsky's Marmalade Records....
(Marmalade, 1969)
With Barre Phillips
Barre Phillips
Barre Phillips is a jazz and free improvisation bassist. A professional musician since 1960, he migrated to New York City in 1962, then to Europe in 1967. Since 1972 he has been based in southern France....
- MountainscapesMountainscapesMountainscapes is an album by American jazz bassist Barre Phillips recorded in 1976 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review awarded the album 3 stars.-Track listing:# "Mountainscape I" - 5:54# "Mountainscape II" - 2:45...
(ECM, 1976)
With John Potter
John Potter (musician)
-Life:John Potter's musical education began as a chorister at King's College Cambridge, after which he became a scholar at The King's School, Canterbury and exhibitioner at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge...
- In Darkness Let Me Dwell (ECM, 1999)
- Care-Charming Sleep (ECM, 2003)
With Tomasz Stańko
Tomasz Stanko
Tomasz Stańko is a Polish trumpeter, composer and improviser. Often recording for ECM, Stańko is strongly associated with free jazz and the avant-garde....
- From the Green HillFrom the Green HillFrom the Green Hill is an album by Polish jazz trumpeter and composer Tomasz Stańko recorded in 1998 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:...
(ECM, 1998)
With Miroslav Vitous
Miroslav Vitouš
Miroslav Ladislav Vitouš , is a Czech jazz bassist.-Biography:Born in Prague, he began the violin at age six, and started playing the piano at age ten, and bass at fourteen. As a young man in Europe, Vitouš was a competitive swimmer. One of his early music groups was the Junior Trio with his...
- First Meeting (ECM, 1979)
- Miroslav Vitous GroupMiroslav Vitous GroupMiroslav Vitous Group is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous recorded in 1980 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Eugene Chadbourne awarded the album 2½ stars stating "This is an album that flutters between different jazz camps in a manner that might seem...
(ECM, 1980) - Journey's EndJourney's End (album)Journey's End is an album by Czech bassist Miroslav Vitous recorded in 1982 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by David R. Adler awarded the album 4 stars stating "Journey's End is highly recommended to those willing to search for it".-Track listing:# "U Dunaje U...
(ECM, 1982)
External links
- John Surman's homepage
- Discography
- John Surman on ECM Records
- Complete list of sessions
- Interviews with John Surman: All About Jazz; Jazz.com; Point of Departure