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{{Short description|English jazz musician and composer}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = John Surman
| name = John Surman
| image = John Surman 2.jpg
| image = John Surman 2.jpg
| image_size = 250
| image_size = 250
| landscape = yes
| landscape = yes
| caption = Surman performing in [[Birdland (jazz club)|Birdland]], 2 September 2009
| caption = Surman performing in [[Birdland (jazz club)|Birdland]], 2 September 2009
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = John Douglas Surman
| birth_name = John Douglas Surman
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1944|8|30}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1944|8|30}}
| birth_place = [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]], Devon, England
| birth_place = [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]], Devon, England
| genre = [[Jazz]] [[avant-garde jazz|avant-garde]], [[free jazz]], [[modal jazz]]
| genre = [[Jazz]] [[avant-garde jazz|avant-garde]], [[free jazz]], [[modal jazz]]
| occupation = Musician, composer, arranger
| occupation = Musician, composer, arranger
| instrument = Baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer
| instrument = Baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer
| years_active = 1960s–present
| years_active = 1960s–present
| label = [[Deram Records|Deram]], [[Dawn Records|Dawn]], [[ECM Records|ECM]]
| label = [[Deram Records|Deram]], [[Dawn Records|Dawn]], [[ECM Records|ECM]]
| associated_acts = [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], [[Barre Phillips]], [[Stu Martin (drummer)|Stu Martin]], [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]], [[John Potter (musician)|John Potter]]
| associated_acts = [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], [[Barre Phillips]], [[Stu Martin (drummer)|Stu Martin]], [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]], [[John Potter (musician)|John Potter]]
| website = {{URL|www.johnsurman.com}}
| website = {{URL|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]]. He has composed and performed music for dance performances and film soundtracks.<ref name=musicolog>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicolog.com/surman.asp |title=John Surman Biography | work=Musicolog.com}}</ref>
'''John Douglas Surman''' (born 30 August 1944)<ref name="LarkinJazz">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-580-8|page=383}}</ref> is an English [[jazz]] saxophone, [[Clarinet family|clarinet]], and synthesizer player, and composer of [[free jazz]] and [[modal jazz]], often using themes from [[folk music]]. He has composed and performed music for dance performances and film soundtracks.<ref name=musicolog>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicolog.com/surman.asp |title=John Surman Biography | website=Musicolog.com}}</ref>


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
[[File:John Surman Universitetets Aula Oslo Jazzfestival 2017 (185810).jpg|thumb|left|John Surman at the 2017 Oslo Jazz Festival]]
[[File:John Surman Universitetets Aula Oslo Jazzfestival 2017 (185810).jpg|thumb|left|John Surman at the 2017 Oslo Jazz Festival]]
Surman was born in [[Tavistock, Devon|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.<ref name="musicolog"/> 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]],<ref>{{cite web|title =John Surman:Listen and Trustl |publisher=All About Jazz |first=Thomas|last=Conrad | url =http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=33971 |date =6 September 2005|accessdate =2010-07-20}}</ref> he made the first record under his own name in 1968.
Surman was born in [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]], Devon, England.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> He initially gained recognition playing [[baritone saxophone]] in the [[Mike Westbrook]] Band in the mid-1960s,<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> and was soon heard regularly playing [[soprano saxophone]] and [[bass clarinet]] as well.<ref name="musicolog"/> 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]],<ref>{{cite web|title =John Surman:Listen and Trustl |publisher=All About Jazz |first=Thomas|last=Conrad | url =http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=33971 |date =6 September 2005|access-date =2010-07-20}}</ref> he made the first record under his own name in 1968.

⚫
In 1969, he founded The Trio along with two expatriate American musicians, bassist [[Barre Phillips]] and drummer [[Stu Martin (drummer)|Stu Martin]].<ref>{{cite web|title =CD/LP Review: Way Back Whenl |publisher=All About Jazz |first=John|last=Kelman | url =http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=17800 |date =30 May 2005|access-date =2010-07-20}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="LarkinJazz"/> During this early period, he also recorded with (among others) saxophonist [[Ronnie Scott]], guitarist [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]], bandleader [[Michael Gibbs (jazz composer)|Michael Gibbs]], trombonist [[Albert Mangelsdorff]], and pianist [[Chris McGregor]]'s [[Brotherhood of Breath]].<ref>Cotterrell, Roger. ‘John Surman: Perpetual Motion’ [[Jazz Forum]] 76 (March 1982), p. 25-29.</ref>

⚫
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.<ref name="musicolog"/>


⚫
Many of the musical relationships he established during the 1970s continued for decades. These include a quartet with pianist [[John Taylor (jazz)|John Taylor]], bassist [[Chris Laurence]], and drummer [[John Stanley Marshall|John Marshall]]; duets and other projects with Norwegian singer [[Karin Krog]] (Surman's long-term partner);<ref>{{cite news|last=Chinen|first=Nate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/02/arts/music/review-karin-krog-a-norwegian-star-plays-at-joes-pub.html|title=Review: Karin Krog, a Norwegian Star, Plays at Joe's Pub|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2 October 2015|access-date=13 June 2021}}</ref> and duets and other projects with American drummer/pianist [[Jack DeJohnette]].<ref name="musicolog"/>
⚫
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 (drummer)|Stu Martin]].<ref>{{cite web|title =CD/LP Review: Way Back Whenl |publisher=All About Jazz |first=John|last=Kelman | url =http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=17800 |date =30 May 2005|accessdate =2010-07-20}}</ref> 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 (musician)|John McLaughlin]], bandleader [[Michael Gibbs (jazz composer)|Michael Gibbs]], trombonist [[Albert Mangelsdorff]], and pianist [[Chris McGregor]]'s [[Brotherhood of Breath]].


⚫
His relationship with [[ECM (record label)|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 and with a wide range of other musicians.<ref name="LarkinJazz"/>
⚫
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.<ref name="musicolog"/>


He was featured in a profile on composer [[Graham Collier]] in the 1985 [[Channel 4]] documentary 'Hoarded Dreams' <ref>https://www.bright-thoughts.co.uk/hoarded-dreams.html Hoarded Dreams documentary website</ref>
⚫
Many of the musical relationships he established during the 1970s have continued to the present. These include a quartet with pianist [[John Taylor (jazz)|John Taylor]], bassist [[Chris Laurence]], and drummer [[John Stanley Marshall|John Marshall]]; duets and other projects with Norwegian singer [[Karin Krog]]; and duets and other projects with American drummer/pianist [[Jack DeJohnette]].<ref name="musicolog"/>


⚫
Since the 1990s, 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 (bassist)|Dave Holland]] (''Thimar'', 1997); has performed the songs of [[John Dowland]] with singer [[John Potter (musician)|John Potter]] formerly of the [[Hilliard Ensemble]]; and made contributions to the [[drum and bass]] album ''[[Disappeared (album)|Disappeared]]'' by [[Spring Heel Jack]].
⚫
His relationship with [[ECM (record label)|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.


⚫
Other musicians he has worked with include bassist [[Miroslav Vitouš]], bandleader [[Gil Evans]], pianist [[Paul Bley]] and [[Vigleik Storaas]], saxophonist (and composer) [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]], guitarists [[Terje Rypdal]] and [[John Abercrombie (jazz guitarist)|John Abercrombie]] and trumpeter [[Tomasz Stańko]].
⚫
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 (musician)|John Potter]] formerly of the [[Hilliard Ensemble]]; and made contributions to the [[drum and bass]] album ''[[Disappeared (album)|Disappeared]]'' by [[Spring Heel Jack]].


His latest musical endeavour is "Words Unspoken", which was released on [[ECM Records]] in February 2024 to universal critical acclaim, receiving a glowing five star write-up in [[BBC Music Magazine]] & widespread radio play across Europe and North America. This bassless quartet features ECM stalwart [[Thomas Strønen]] on drums as well as British rising star [[Rob Luft]] on guitar & electronics.
⚫
Other musicians he has worked with include bassist [[Miroslav Vitous]], bandleader [[Gil Evans]], pianist [[Paul Bley]] and [[Vigleik Storaas]], saxophonist (and composer) [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]], guitarists [[Terje Rypdal]] and [[John Abercrombie (jazz guitarist)|John Abercrombie]] and trumpeter [[Tomasz Stańko]].


== Awards and honors ==
== Awards and honors ==
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* ''John Surman'' ([[Deram Records|Deram]], 1969)
* ''John Surman'' ([[Deram Records|Deram]], 1969)
* ''[[How Many Clouds Can You See?]]'' (Deram, 1970)
* ''[[How Many Clouds Can You See?]]'' (Deram, 1970)
* ''The Trio'' with Barre Phillips, Stu Martin (Dawn, 1970)
* ''Conflagration (The Trio)'' with Barre Phillips, Stu Martin and others (Dawn, 1971)
* ''[[Tales of the Algonquin]]'' with [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]] (Deram, 1971)
* ''[[Tales of the Algonquin]]'' with [[John Warren (Canadian musician)|John Warren]] (Deram, 1971)
* ''Where Fortune Smiles'' with John McLaughlin, Dave Holland, Stu Martin, Karl Berger (Dawn, 1971)
* ''Where Fortune Smiles'' with John McLaughlin, Dave Holland, Stu Martin, Karl Berger (Dawn, 1971)
* ''[[Westering Home (album)|Westering Home]]'' ([[Island Records|Island]], 1972)
* ''[[Westering Home (album)|Westering Home]]'' ([[Island Records|Island]], 1972)
* ''Jazz in Britain '68-'69'' with Alan Skidmore, Tony Oxley (Decca Eclipse, 1972)
* ''Jazz in Britain '68-'69'' with Alan Skidmore, Tony Oxley (Decca Eclipse, 1972)
* ''Morning Glory'' with [[John Marshall (drummer)|John Marshall]], [[Terje Rypdal]], [[Chris Laurence]], [[John Taylor (jazz)|John Taylor]], Malcolm Griffiths ([[Island Records|Island]], 1973)
* ''John Surman'' (Jazz Vogue, 1974)
* ''John Surman'' (Jazz Vogue, 1974)
* ''Live at Moers Festival'' with Tony Levin (Ring, 1975)
* ''Live at Moers Festival'' with Tony Levin (Ring, 1975)
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* ''[[Such Winters of Memory]]'' (ECM, 1983)
* ''[[Such Winters of Memory]]'' (ECM, 1983)
* ''[[Withholding Pattern]]'' (ECM, 1985)
* ''[[Withholding Pattern]]'' (ECM, 1985)
* ''By Contact (The Trio)'' with Barre Phillips, Stu Martin (Ogun, 1987) (reissue)
* ''[[Private City]]'' (ECM, 1988)
* ''[[Private City]]'' (ECM, 1988)
* ''[[Road to Saint Ives]]'' (ECM, 1990)
* ''[[Road to Saint Ives]]'' (ECM, 1990)
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* ''[[Coruscating]]'' (ECM, 2000)
* ''[[Coruscating]]'' (ECM, 2000)
* ''[[Invisible Nature]]'' with Jack DeJohnette (ECM, 2002)
* ''[[Invisible Nature]]'' with Jack DeJohnette (ECM, 2002)
* ''[[Free and Equal]]'' (ECM, 2003)
* ''[[Free and Equal (album)|Free and Equal]]'' (ECM, 2003)
* ''Way Back When'' (Cuneiform, 2005)
* ''Way Back When'' (Cuneiform, 2005)
* ''[[The Spaces in Between]]'' (ECM, 2007)
* ''[[The Spaces in Between]]'' (ECM, 2007)
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* ''Another Sky'' (Grappa, 2014)
* ''Another Sky'' (Grappa, 2014)
* ''Infinite Paths'' with Karin Krog (Meantime, 2016)
* ''Infinite Paths'' with Karin Krog (Meantime, 2016)
* ''[[Invisible Threads]]'' (ECM, 2018)
* ''[[Invisible Threads]]'' (ECM, 2018)
* ''Words Unspoken'' (ECM, 2024 with [[Rob Luft]], [[Thomas Strønen]] & Rob Waring)


=== As sideman ===
=== As sideman ===
'''With [[Paul Bley]]'''
'''With [[Paul Bley]]'''
* 1986 ''[[Fragments (album)|Fragments]]'' (ECM)
* 1986 ''[[Fragments (Paul Bley album)|Fragments]]'' (ECM)
* 1988 ''The Paul Bley Quartet'' (ECM)
* 1988 ''[[The Paul Bley Quartet]]'' (ECM)
* 1993 ''[[In the Evenings Out There]]'' (ECM)
* 1993 ''[[In the Evenings Out There]]'' (ECM)


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'''With [[Alexis Korner]]'''
'''With [[Alexis Korner]]'''
* 1970 ''Both Sides''
* 1970 ''Both Sides''
* 1979 ''The Party Album''
* 1979 ''[[The Party Album (Alexis Korner album)|The Party Album]]''
* 1981 ''Alexis Korner and Friends''
* 1981 ''Alexis Korner and Friends''


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'''With [[Chris McGregor]]'''
'''With [[Chris McGregor]]'''
* 1970 ''Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath''
* 1970 ''[[Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath]]'' (RCA/Neon, 1971)
* 2008 ''Up to Earth'' (Fledg'ling)
* 2008 ''[[Up to Earth]]'' (Fledg'ling)


'''With [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]]'''
'''With [[John McLaughlin (musician)|John McLaughlin]]'''
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* 1972 ''Shapes''
* 1972 ''Shapes''
* 1974 ''Looking for the Next One''
* 1974 ''Looking for the Next One''
* 1975 ''SOS''
* 1975 ''SOS'' ([[Ogun Records|Ogun]])


'''With [[Barre Phillips]]'''
'''With [[Barre Phillips]]'''
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* 1999 ''In Darkness Let Me Dwell'' (ECM)
* 1999 ''In Darkness Let Me Dwell'' (ECM)
* 2003 ''Care-Charming Sleep'' (ECM)
* 2003 ''Care-Charming Sleep'' (ECM)
* 2008 ''[[Romaria]]''
* 2008 ''Romaria''
* 2013 ''Night Sessions''
* 2013 ''Night Sessions''


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'''With others'''
'''With others'''
* 1968 ''Local Colour'', [[Peter Lemer]] (ESP Disk)
* 1968 ''Local Colour'', [[Peter Lemer]] (ESP Disk)
* 1968 ''Ronnie Scott And The Band – Live At Ronnie Scott's'', [[Ronnie Scott]] (CBS)
* 1969 ''Gittin' to Know You'', [[Lester Bowie]]
* 1969 ''[[Gittin' to Know Y'All]]'', [[Lester Bowie]]
* 1970 ''Flare Up'', [[Harry Beckett]] (Philips)
* 1970 ''Flare Up'', [[Harry Beckett]] (Philips)
* 1971 ''Going to the Rainbow'', Rolf Kuhn (BASF)
* 1971 ''Going to the Rainbow'', Rolf Kuhn (BASF)
* 1971 ''Duke Ellington Classics'', [[Humphrey Lyttelton]] (Black Lion)
* 1971 ''Duke Ellington Classics'', [[Humphrey Lyttelton]] (Black Lion)
* 1972 ''Bass Is'', [[Peter Warren (musician)|Peter Warren]] (Enja)
* 1972 ''Bass Is'', [[Peter Warren (American musician)|Peter Warren]] (Enja)
* 1977 ''A Matter Of Taste'', Mumps ([[Albert Mangelsdorff]], [[Barre Phillips]], [[Stu Martin (drummer)|Stu Martin]]) (MPS)
* 1979 ''[[In Pas(s)ing]]'', [[Mick Goodrick]] (ECM)
* 1979 ''[[In Pas(s)ing]]'', [[Mick Goodrick]] (ECM)
* 1983 ''Irina'', [[Barry Altschul]] (Soul Note)
* 1983 ''[[Irina (album)|Irina]]'', [[Barry Altschul]] (Soul Note)
* 1988 ''Meets the Francy Boland Kenny Clark Big Band'', [[Gitte Haenning]]
* 1988 ''Meets the Francy Boland Kenny Clark Big Band'', [[Gitte Haenning]]
* 1992 ''[[Ambleside Days]]'', [[John Taylor (jazz)|John Taylor]] (Ah Um)
* 1992 ''[[Ambleside Days]]'', [[John Taylor (jazz)|John Taylor]] (Ah Um)
* 1993 ''[[November (album)|November]]'', [[John Abercrombie (guitarist)|John Abercrombie]] (ECM)
* 1993 ''[[November (John Abercrombie album)|November]]'', [[John Abercrombie (guitarist)|John Abercrombie]] (ECM)
* 1993 ''Room 1220'', [[Albert Mangelsdorff]] (Konnex)
* 1993 ''Room 1220'', [[Albert Mangelsdorff]] (Konnex)
* 1998 ''[[Thimar]]'', [[Anouar Brahem]] (ECM)
* 1998 ''[[Thimar]]'', [[Anouar Brahem]] (ECM)
* 1998 ''[[From the Green Hill]]'', [[Tomasz Stańko]] (ECM)
* 1998 ''[[From the Green Hill]]'', [[Tomasz Stańko]] (ECM)
* 1999 ''First Impression'', [[Misha Alperin]] (ECM)
* 1999 ''First Impression'', [[Misha Alperin]] (ECM)
* 2000 ''Disappeared'', [[Spring Heel Jack]]
* 2000 ''[[Disappeared (album)|Disappeared]]'', [[Spring Heel Jack]]
* 2003 ''Le Cinema de Bartrand Tavernier'', [[Philippe Sarde]]
* 2003 ''Le Cinema de Bertrand Tavernier'', [[Philippe Sarde]]
* 2005 ''Hybrids'', [[Jack DeJohnette]]'s The Ripple Effect (Golden Beams)
* 2009 ''The Believers'', [[J. Peter Robinson]]
* 2009 ''The Believers'', [[J. Peter Robinson]]
* 2011 ''Nino Rota'', [[Richard Galliano]] (Deutsche Grammophon)
* 2011 ''Nino Rota'', [[Richard Galliano]] (Deutsche Grammophon)


==References==
==References==
{{portal|England|Norway|Jazz}}
{{Portal|England|Norway|Jazz}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscatinline}}
{{commons category|John Surman}}
*{{official website}}
*{{Official website}}
*{{discogs artist}}
*{{discogs artist}}


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{{John Surman}}
{{John Surman}}
{{Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band}}
{{Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band}}
{{Brotherhood of Breath}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Surman, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Surman, John}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Tavistock]]
[[Category:Musicians from Tavistock]]
[[Category:Bass clarinetists]]
[[Category:Bass clarinetists]]
[[Category:Jazz baritone saxophonists]]
[[Category:Jazz baritone saxophonists]]
[[Category:English jazz soprano saxophonists]]
[[Category:English jazz soprano saxophonists]]
[[Category:British male saxophonists]]
[[Category:English male saxophonists]]
[[Category:English jazz musicians]]
[[Category:English jazz musicians]]
[[Category:English jazz saxophonists]]
[[Category:English jazz saxophonists]]
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[[Category:Dawn Records artists]]
[[Category:Dawn Records artists]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Devon]]
[[Category:21st-century British saxophonists]]
[[Category:21st-century saxophonists]]
[[Category:21st-century British clarinetists]]
[[Category:21st-century clarinetists]]
[[Category:21st-century English male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century male musicians]]
[[Category:English male jazz musicians]]
⚫
[[Category:Male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band members]]
[[Category:Kenny Clarke/Francy Boland Big Band members]]
⚫
[[Category:FMR Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 10:32, 16 November 2024

John Surman
Surman performing in Birdland, 2 September 2009
Surman performing in Birdland, 2 September 2009
Background information
Birth nameJohn Douglas Surman
Born (1944-08-30) 30 August 1944 (age 80)
Tavistock, Devon, England
GenresJazz avant-garde, free jazz, modal jazz
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, arranger
Instrument(s)Baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, synthesizer
Years active1960s–present
LabelsDeram, Dawn, ECM
Websitewww.johnsurman.com

John Douglas Surman (born 30 August 1944)[1] is an English jazz saxophone, clarinet, and synthesizer player, and composer of free jazz and modal jazz, often using themes from folk music. He has composed and performed music for dance performances and film soundtracks.[2]

Life and career

[edit]
John Surman at the 2017 Oslo Jazz Festival

Surman was born in Tavistock, Devon, England.[1] He initially gained recognition playing baritone saxophone in the Mike Westbrook Band in the mid-1960s,[1] and was soon heard regularly playing soprano saxophone and bass clarinet as well.[2] 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,[3] he made the first record under his own name in 1968.

In 1969, he founded The Trio along with two expatriate American musicians, bassist Barre Phillips and drummer Stu Martin.[4] 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.[1] 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.[5]

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.[2]

Many of the musical relationships he established during the 1970s continued for decades. These include a quartet with pianist John Taylor, bassist Chris Laurence, and drummer John Marshall; duets and other projects with Norwegian singer Karin Krog (Surman's long-term partner);[6] and duets and other projects with American drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette.[2]

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 and with a wide range of other musicians.[1]

He was featured in a profile on composer Graham Collier in the 1985 Channel 4 documentary 'Hoarded Dreams' [7]

Since the 1990s, 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 Vitouš, bandleader Gil Evans, pianist Paul Bley and Vigleik Storaas, saxophonist (and composer) John Warren, guitarists Terje Rypdal and John Abercrombie and trumpeter Tomasz Stańko.

His latest musical endeavour is "Words Unspoken", which was released on ECM Records in February 2024 to universal critical acclaim, receiving a glowing five star write-up in BBC Music Magazine & widespread radio play across Europe and North America. This bassless quartet features ECM stalwart Thomas Strønen on drums as well as British rising star Rob Luft on guitar & electronics.

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • 1999: Spellemannprisen in the category Jazz, with Karin Krog for the album Bluesand
  • 2013: Spellemannprisen in the category Jazz, with Karin Krog for the album Songs About This and That

Discography

[edit]

As leader

[edit]

As sideman

[edit]

With Paul Bley

With Graham Collier

With Christine Collister

  • 1998 The Dark Gift of Time (Fledg'ling)
  • 2000 Songbird
  • 2001 An Equal Love

With Michael Gibbs

  • 1970 Michael Gibbs (Deram)
  • 1971 Tanglewood 63 (Deram)
  • 2018 Festival 69 (Turtle)

With Per Husby

  • 1987 Your Eyes
  • 1990 Dedications (Hot Club)

With Alexis Korner

With Karin Krog

  • 1986 Freestyle (Odin)
  • 2002 Raindrops, Raindrops
  • 2010 Folkways (Meantime)

With Chris McGregor

With John McLaughlin

With Mike Osborne and Alan Skidmore

  • 1972 Shapes
  • 1974 Looking for the Next One
  • 1975 SOS (Ogun)

With Barre Phillips

With John Potter

  • 1999 In Darkness Let Me Dwell (ECM)
  • 2003 Care-Charming Sleep (ECM)
  • 2008 Romaria
  • 2013 Night Sessions

With Colin Towns

  • 1993 Mask Orchestra (The Jazz Label)
  • 1997 Bolt from the Blue (Provocateur)

With Miroslav Vitous

With Mike Westbrook

  • 1967 Celebration (Deram)
  • 1968 Release (Deram)
  • 1969 Marching Song Vol. 1 (Deram)
  • 1969 Marching Song Vol. 2 (Deram)
  • 1975 Citadel/Room 315 (RCA)
  • 2018 The Night at the Old Place (Cadillac)

With others

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Jazz (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 383. ISBN 0-85112-580-8.
  2. ^ a b c d "John Surman Biography". Musicolog.com.
  3. ^ Conrad, Thomas (6 September 2005). "John Surman:Listen and Trustl". All About Jazz. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  4. ^ Kelman, John (30 May 2005). "CD/LP Review: Way Back Whenl". All About Jazz. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  5. ^ Cotterrell, Roger. ‘John Surman: Perpetual Motion’ Jazz Forum 76 (March 1982), p. 25-29.
  6. ^ Chinen, Nate (2 October 2015). "Review: Karin Krog, a Norwegian Star, Plays at Joe's Pub". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  7. ^ https://www.bright-thoughts.co.uk/hoarded-dreams.html Hoarded Dreams documentary website
[edit]

Media related to John Surman at Wikimedia Commons

Awards
Preceded by Recipient of the Jazz Spellemannprisen
1999 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Recipient of the Jazz Spellemannprisen
2013 		Succeeded by
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