On stage John Surman can’t keep still. The 65 year old who celebrates his career with us at the Queen Elizabeth Hall bobs from left to right and at one-point leaps in the air, both feet leaving the ground. He’s obviously excited to be headlining, and perhaps more so to be playing in the first half too. In this special double bill John Surman is supported by none other than John Surman. 

Playful sums up the opening set, indeed John aptly describes one untitled piece as a musical game of catch-up. Using electronic delays, ambient and minimalist backing tracks, John evokes a mysterious and hypnotic mood by layering on top his breathy woodwind tones. Midway through John invites Norwegian singer and longtime collaborator Karin Krog to the stage. Her Meredith Monk-like explorations into the possibilities of the human voice show that Surman is equally comfortable in a more avant-garde setting.  

In the second half, John brings his all-American rhythm section to the stage; the ‘peerless’ Jack DeJohnette on drums, John Abercrombie on guitar, and Drew Gress on double bass. Together they form the lineup from Surman’s latest release, Brewster’s Rooster on ECM, and tonight is the European premiere of the live show. 

Throughout the evening John moves effortlessly from the bass clarinet to the baritone and soprano saxophones. DeJohnette’s extended cymbal collection allow for an equally large range, from resonant gong-like sounds to fizzy smatterings of hi-hat. On guitar, whilst Abercrombie’s muddy tone suited a muted chordal accompaniment, his solos often sounded blurry and his phrasing lacked clarity. Gress’s sturdy bass performance on the other hand could not be faulted. 

Despite some exciting interplay between the quartet, the experienced rhythm section weren’t always quick enough to respond to and match Surman’s intensity – particularly noticeable in John Warren’s Slanted Sky.