John Surman is a composer with a broad and multi-hued musical palette. Hes written for everything from solo saxophone to string quartet to choir with organ to contemporary dance. On Brewster's Rooster (ECM, 2009), Surman reunites with longtime musical partners Jack DeJohnette and John Abercrombie (accompanied by bassist Drew Gress) for a quartet album that explores group interplay. In this interview, Surman talks about finding a place in his music for his disparate influences; why he writes for many types of ensembles; and why he doesnt play in the U.S. more often.
