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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSURMAN, John(b 30 Aug. '44, Tavistock, Devon, UK) Baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizers. From musical family; studied in London '60s, meanwhile playing with Alexis Korner and Mike Westbrook; has become a world- famous soloist and composer, innovating by extending the upper range of the baritone, but like trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff and many others choosing to remain in Europe. He composes his own synthesized backing, his melodic gift infl. by English music avoiding the noodling in some of this kind of music. Played on John McLaughlin LP Extrapolation '69, on LPs with Westbrook, Mike Gibbs, bassist Miroslav Vitous (toured in quartet '79--82); formed trio SOS '73 with reedmen Mike Osborne (b 28 Sep. '41, Hereford), Alan Skidmore (b 8 Feb. '16, London), LP on Ogun '75 incl. synth, Osborne and Skidmore doubling on percussion to make the sound of larger group. Surman's musical roots incl. folk, ethnic and church music as well as jazz; his commissions incl. church and ballet music. Own LPs incl. The Trio '70 on Pye (Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums); solo Westering Home '72 and Morning Glory '73 (with Terje Rypdal), both on Island. Subsequent albums all on ECM: duos with Stan Tracey (Sonatinas) and vocalist Karin Krog (Cloudline Blue) '78, solo Upon Reflection '79, award-winning The Amazing Adventures Of Simon Simon '81 (with Jack DeJohnette), Such Winters Of Memory (with Krog and drummer Pierre Favre) '83, solo Withholding Pattern '85; Private City '88, Adventure Playground '92 incl. Paula Bley, Gary Peacock and Tony Oxley; Nordic Quartet '94 had Krog improvising long tones on about half the tracks, plus Rypdal on guitar, Vigleik Storaas on bass; The Brass Project '94 was co-led with Jack Warren; Stranger Than Fiction '94 incl. guitarist John Taylor; others were Private City and Road To St Ives. A Biography of the Rev Absolom Dawe '95 was described by a pop critic as 'mysterious', Proverbs And Songs '97 featured John Taylor on church organ and the Salisbury Festival Chorus. |