John Surman
Photo: bagoum, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Saxophonists · b. 1944

John Surman

British saxophonist and clarinetist

Born
20 August 1944
Tavistock
Country
United Kingdom
Active
1960–
Record labels
ECM Records, Island Records, Dawn Records, Deram
Discography
37 albums

Biography

John Surman is a jazz musician who plays saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone and bass clarinet. John Surman was born on 20 August 1944 in Tavistock. The music is usually filed under jazz, swing and experimental rock. Record labels: ECM Records, Island Records, Dawn Records and Deram. The discography here lists 37 albums, from “John Surman” (1968) to “Flashpoints and Undercurrents” (2025). Honours include Spellemann Award for jazz record of the year (1999), Paul Acket Award and BBC Jazz Awards.

John Douglas Surman (born 30 August 1944) 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.

Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Discography

Studio and live albums

John Surman 1968
How Many Clouds Can You See? 1970
Tales of the Algonquin 1971
Jazz in Britain ’68–’69 1972
Westering Home 1972
Morning Glory 1973
Live at Moers Festival 1976 · Live
Sonatinas 1978
Upon Reflection 1979
The Amazing Adventures of Simon Simon 1981
Such Winters of Memory 1983
Withholding Pattern 1985
Private City 1988
Road to Saint Ives 1990
Adventure Playground 1992
The Brass Project 1993
A Biography of the Rev. Absalom Dawe 1995
Nordic Quartet 1995
Proverbs And Songs 1997
Coruscating 2000
Apartment #5C 2002
Invisible Nature 2002 · Live
Free and Equal 2003
Way Back When 2005
The Spaces in Between 2007
Rain on the Window 2008
Brewster's Rooster 2009
Flashpoint: NDR Jazz Workshop - April '69 2011
Saltash Bells 2012
Another Sky 2014
Invisible Threads 2018
Oceanic Rifts 2020
Words Unspoken 2024
Diriaou 2025
Electric Element 2025
Flashpoints and Undercurrents 2025
Surman, Bruce, Hiseman

Awards

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does John Surman play?

John Surman is known for playing saxophone, clarinet, soprano saxophone and bass clarinet.

When and where was John Surman born?

John Surman was born 20 August 1944 in Tavistock.

What are John Surman's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include John Surman (1968), How Many Clouds Can You See? (1970), Tales of the Algonquin (1971), Jazz in Britain ’68–’69 (1972) and Westering Home (1972).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.