Saxophonist and clarinetist John Surman is often characterized as a quintessentially English improviser and composer, and hints of folk music and a pastoral ambience are attributes of his music on well-loved albums like “The Road to Saint Ives” or “Saltash Bells.” Yet he also has a long history of working with musicians from other countries and cultures, players united by such invisible threads as a shared feeling for melody that transcends the idioms. John Surman met pianist Nelson Ayres – known to aficionados of Brazilian jazz for his work with Airto Moreira, Milton Nascimento and Banda Pau Brasil – while on tour in South America. In Oslo, Surman came to know and appreciate the playing of Rob Waring, expatriate US vibraphonist (recently heard on ECM with Mats Eilertsen). The three musicians come together to play a new program of Surman originals – plus Nelson Ayres’s “Summer Song” – in a session recorded at Oslo’s Rainbow studio in July 2017, produced by Manfred Eicher.
1 At first sight 02:32
2 Autumn nocturne 06:50
3 Within the clouds 04:47
4 Byndweed 05:09
5 On still water 04:41
6 Another reflection 01:31
7 The admiral 05:13
8 Pitanga pitomba 07:02
9 Summer song 05:19
10 Concentric circles 06:30
11 Stoke damerel 03:34
12 Invisible threads 05:39
John Surman, soprano and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet
Nelson Ayres, piano
Rob Waring, vibraphone, marimba
