JOHN SURNAM/JOHN WARREN

John Surman: soprano and baritone saxophones, alto and bass clarinets, piano; Henry Lowther, Steve Waterman, Stuart Brooks: trumpets; Malcolm Griffiths, Chris Pyne: trombones; David Stewart, Richard Edwards: bass trombones; Chris Laurence: double bass; John Marshall: drums, percussion; John Warren: conductor

ECM 1478                   CD: 6025 6743491 7

The original conceptual idea for the Brass Project was to set John Surman’s improvising trio with bassist Chris Laurence and drummer John Marshall at the centre of a radiant brass choir of trumpets and trombones. With John Warren invited to contribute compositions and to conduct the group, the Brass Project quickly evolved into a more organic large ensemble, and by the time of this 1992 recording had become one of the most creative configurations in Britain. The elegant arrangements of Warren’s and Surman’s profoundly melodic music inspire many eloquent and touching solos.