John Surman - new CD and performances in the USA

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On August 4th ECM released Brewster’s Rooster a powerful, exciting, real "jazz" album, from the great British horn-player John Surman. Soulful ballads, hard-driving pieces and fiery improvisations show Surman at the top of his creative form on baritone and soprano saxophones, surrounded by an all-star cast featuring John Abercrombie, Drew Gress and Jack DeJohnette.. Surman - making a rare US appearance - will perform with this quartet later in the month. Not to be missed!

- August 27 – 29 in Washington DC, at Blues Alley
- September 1- 5 in New York at Birdland

You can see the band at work during the Brewster's Rooster recording session by clicking this link.

And the album can be ordered at amazon.

Miroslav Vitous - Remembering Weather Report

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Remembering Weather Report – a new album from bassist Miroslav Vitous was released on July 7th. According to Nate Chinen of the New York Times, Vitous “brings a rigorous sense of proportion to this album, exploring free-form terrain with the stateliest kind of boldness” and he calls it a “severely elegant album.”

Vitous was one of the founders of Weather Report and helped to shape its early (and revolutionary) mix of enigmatic, free-flowing compositions and high-level improvisational dialogues, in which all the instruments enjoyed parity. It is this formative period that Miroslav salutes with his all-acoustic band and some phenomenal playing.

You should be able to find this album in the fine record stores but for your convenience here is a link to the correct page on Amazon.com.

You can read the entire New York Times review here.