John Surman Quartet »Words Unspoken« & Henriksen / Seim / Jormin / Ounaskari: »Arcanum«

• Jazz, Blues, Swing & Chanson

John Surman has achieved a lot in his almost 60-year career. The Brit played blues with Alexis Korner and free jazz with John McLaughlin. Since the 1970s, his spherical sound has enhanced a number of important ECM albums. Surman’s expression on saxophone and bass clarinet is unrivalled – tender and powerful at the same time. In August 2024, the master of the melancholy song will turn 80 years old. He first appeared on the NDR stage in 1969 and is now back with a highly acclaimed new album and a fresh quartet. The British-Norwegian band has a congenial line-up, including the forward-looking guitarist Rob Luft, winner of the Kenny Wheeler Prize. The title of the album – »Words Unspoken« – also refers to the band’s improvisational approach, which develops songs without much consultation, primarily through intensive listening. One critic praised the »playful themes full of poetry, performed, embellished, varied and passed on by the individual musicians.« The BBC Music Magazine awarded five stars.
The term »supergroup« should be used sparingly, but when musicians of this calibre come together, it’s hard not to use the superlative: Arve Henriksen, Trygve Seim, Anders Jormin and Markku Ounaskari have long been among the most sought-after Scandinavian jazz artists. They all represent a musical aesthetic »where it’s about the music and less about showcasing skills,« as saxophonist Seim puts it. The four had already played together in various configurations, but only in Sinikka Langeland’s band. In 2023, they embarked on their first tour as a project called »Arcanum«. »We play many beautiful melodies to which we freely improvise,« says drummer Ounaskari. Each evening of »Arcanum« sounds completely different. The Finnish-Swedish-Norwegian band creates large impressionistic arcs in their own compositions and exciting free adaptations, including works by Catalan composer Federico Mompou. From afar, Ornette Coleman listens, smiles, and nods.

PERFORMERS

John Surman Quartet quartet

John Surman saxophone

Rob Luft guitar

Rob Waring vibraphone

Thomas Strønen drums

Henriksen – Seim – Jormin – Ounaskari

Arve Henriksen trumpet

Trygve Seim saxophone

Anders Jormin double bass

Markku Ounaskari drums

PROGRAM

John Surman Quartet
»Words Unspoken«

Henriksen – Seim – Jormin – Ounaskari
»Arcanum«