Words Unspoken

‘Words Unspoken is a stunningly gorgeous record from an artist who long ago proved all he needed to prove.’ (Somethin’ Else)

British composer, saxophonist and clarinettist John Surman will be 80 in 2024, and to celebrate this milestone, will continue his musical adventures with a new band and recording called Words Unspoken.

Words Unspoken is a development of his 2018 ECM release Invisible Threads (described in The Times as ‘…elegant chamber jazz…’) and sees Surman working in collaboration with British rising star, guitarist Rob Luft, Oslo-based American vibraphonist Rob Waring, celebrated Norwegian drummer Thomas Strønen and sound designer and electronics artist, Stuart Mørch Kerrison. For a glimpse into their thoughts about working in an intergenerations band, see an interview with Daniela Gerstmann here.

Words Unspoken was recorded at Rainbow Studios in Oslo in December 2022, and released on prestigious European label ECM on 16 February 2024. Live, it premiered at Oslo Jazz Festival in 2023, and is available across 2024 for live presentations.

2024 Tour dates:

17 April 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | G-Live Lab, Helsinki (FI)
18 April 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | G-Live Lab, Tampere (FI)
7 May 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Maijazz, Stavanger (NO)
25 May 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | RNCM Theatre @ Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester (UK)
10 June 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London (UK)
12 June 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, Istanbul (TRKY)
21 July 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Inntöne Festival, near Salzberg (AT)
8 September 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin (DE)
10 – 11 October 2024 | John Surman’s Words Unspoken | Rolf-Liebermann-Studio, NDR, Hamburg (DE)

Watch a trailer here.

Visit the ECM site here.