John Surman

John Surman

Surman performing in Birdland,
2 September 2009.
Background information
Birth name John Douglas Surman
Born (1944-08-30) 30 August 1944
Tavistock, Devon, England
Genres Free jazz, Avant-garde jazz, Modal jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, composer, film scorer, musical arranger
Instruments Baritone saxophone
Soprano saxophone
Bass clarinet
Synthesizer
Years active Mid 1960s – current
Labels Deram, Dawn, ECM
Associated acts John McLaughlin, Barre Phillips, Stu Martin, John Warren, John Potter
Website www.johnsurman.com

John Douglas Surman (born 30 August 1944) 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.[1]

Life and career

John Surman with BBB in 2014.
(Photo by Knut Andersen)

Surman was born in Tavistock, Devon. He initially gained recognition playing baritone saxophone in the Mike Westbrook Band in the mid-1960s, and was soon heard regularly playing soprano saxophone and bass clarinet as well.[1] 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,[2] 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.[3] 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.[1]

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.[1]

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 Tunisian 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 and Vigleik Storaas, guitarists Terje Rypdal and John Abercrombie and trumpeter Tomasz Stańko.

Honors

Discography

As leader

Compilations

As sideman

With John Abercrombie

With Misha Alperin

With Paul Bley

With Anouar Brahem

With Mick Goodrick

With Karin Krog

With John McLaughlin

With Mike Osborne

With Barre Phillips

With John Potter

With Tomasz Stańko

With Stan Tracey

With Miroslav Vitous

With Richard Galliano

With the Mike Westbrook Orchestra

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "John Surman Biography". Musicolog.com.
  2. ↑ Conrad, Thomas (6 September 2005). "John Surman:Listen and Trustl". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  3. ↑ Kelman, John (30 May 2005). "CD/LP Review: Way Back Whenl". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
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Awards
Preceded by
Espen Rud Sextett		 Recipient of the Jazz Spellemannprisen
1999 		Succeeded by
Petter Wettre and
Per Oddvar Johansen
Preceded by
Sidsel Endresen and
Stian Westerhus		 Recipient of the Jazz Spellemannprisen
2013 		Succeeded by
Marius Neset and
Trondheim Jazz Orchestra
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