Legendary British Saxophonist John Surman Interviewed at AAJ

It's increasingly risky to be a musician on the road. When British saxophonist John Surman was traveling from his home in Oslo, Norway, to New York City in September, 2007 for a recording session, he almost lost his baritone saxophone to the airlines. "It is a nightmare traveling now," says Surman, "and hardly a tour goes by without something going missing, and of course there's the damage problem. Nowadays you get one handbag, which of course is my soprano, so I always have that; and wherever possible, I'll perhaps take the baritone mouthpiece in case worse comes to worst. But that being a metal mouthpiece, it's always a trouble at security. The security guards think I've got a snub nose revolver or something. I don't know what they think I'm gonna do with a metal mouthpiece [laughs]."

In AAJ Managing Editor John Kelman's extensive and in-depth interview with the legendary saxophonist, John Surman: From Boy Choirs to Big Horns, Surman talks about his lengthy career and the perils of traveling, with particular focus on his latest release, Brewster's Rooster (ECM, 2009), an overdue return to conventional jazz form with an anything but conventional jazz group - guitarist John Abercrombie, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

As part of AAJ's extensive coverage of Surman and Brewster's Rooster, you can also read John Kelman's review, published a couple weeks back, as well as a brand new review of Rain on the Window (ECM, 2008), a stunningly beautiful duo date with church organist Howard Moody, published today at AAJ.

AAJ is committed to providing the most extensive and in-depth coverage surrounding new releases, so be sure to check out all the buzz about John Surman, Brewster's Rooster and Rain on the Window at AAJ today!