John Surman

Synopsis

In a special programme recorded in front of an audience at the 2009 London Jazz Festival, British saxophonist John Surman joins Alyn Shipton to look back over his recording career.

As one of the country's finest sax players, Surman's copious output since the 1960s includes many significant recordings. Among the discs explored are those by his long-running quartet, his partnership with drummer Jack DeJohnette and his work with Norwegian singer Karin Krog.

DISC 1
Title: Tension
Artist: Mike Westbrook
Composer: Surman
Album: Marching Song Vol 1 and 2
Label: Deram
Number: 844 853-2 CD 2 Track 5

Personnel: Greg Bowen, Ronnie Hughes, Dave Holdsworth, Henry Lowther (trumpet); Malcolm Griffiths, Mike Gibs, Paul Rutherford, Eddie Harvey (trombone); Martin Fry (tuba); John Surman, Mike Osborne, John Warren, Alan Skidmore, Brian
Smith (reeds); Mike Westbrook (piano; Harry Miller, Chris Lawrence (bass); Alan Jackson, John Marshall (drums). 1969.

DISC 2
Title: Dousing Rod
Artist: The Trio
Composer: Surman/Phillips
Album: The Trio
Label: BGO
Number: CD 231 Track 2

Personnel: John Surman (baritone and soprano sax, bass clarinet); Barre Phillips (bass); Stu Martin (drums). 1970.

DISC 3
Title: Where's Junior
Artist: SOS
Composer: Skidmore, Osborne, Surman
Album: SOS
Label: Ogun
Number: OGCD 019 Track 4

Personnel: John Surman, bar; Alan Skidmore, ts; Mike Osborne, as.

DISC 4
Title: Portrait Of A Romantic
Artist: John Surman
Composer: Surman
Album: Private City
Label: ECM
Number: 835 780-2 Track 1

Personnel: John Surman, bass clarinet, recorders, soprano and baritone saxophones, and synthesizer.

DISC 5
Title: It Could Be Hip
Artist: Karin Krog and John Surman
Composer: Surman/Krog
Album: Bluesand
Label: Meantime
Number: MR 9 Track 5

Personnel: John Surman as above, plus piano; Karin Krog, voice and electronics. 1999.

DISC 6
Title: Abraham Arise
Artist: John Surman, John Taylor, Salisbury Festival Chorus
Composer: Surman
Album: Proverbs and Songs
Label: ECM
Number: 537 799-2 Track 9

Personnel: John Surman, bar; John Taylor, org; Salisbury Festival Chorus: Dir. Howard Moody. 1 June 1996, Salisbury Cathedral.

DISC 7
Title: Across The Bridge
Artist: John Surman Quartet
Composer: Surman
Album: Stranger Than Fiction
Label: ECM
Number: 1534 Track 5

Personnel: John Surman, bar, ss, bcl; John Taylor, p; Chris Laurence, b; John Marshall, d. 1994.

DISC 8
Title: Fire
Artist: John Surman, Jack DeJohnette, London Brass
Composer: Surman
Album: Free and Equal
Label: ECM
Number: 017 065-2 Track 5

Personnel: John Surman, bcl; Jack DeJohnette, d; John Barclay, t; London Brass, June 2001.

DISC 9
Title: Now See!
Artist: John Surman
Composer: Surman
Album: The Spaces In Between
Label: ECM
Number: 172 3586 Track 7

Personnel: John Surman, ss; Chris Laurence, b; Rita Manning, Patrick Kiernan, v; Bill Hawkes, vla; Nick Cooper, cello. Feb 2006.

DISC 10
Title: Kickback
Artist: John Surman
Composer: Surman
Album: Brewster's Rooster
Label: ECM
Number: 2046 Track 4

Personnel: John Surman, bar; John Abercrombie, g; Drew Gress, b; Jack DeJohnette. d.

Broadcast

1. Sat 21 Nov 2009
   16:00
   BBC Radio 3