Miroslav Vitous

Between 1979 and 1982, the Miroslav Vitouš Group was the primary outlet for the abundant improvisational skills of leader Vitouš and John Surman. They made three ECM albums: this eponymously-titled disc from 1980 is the middle one. Vitouš and Surman were well-matched in lots of ways, with roots and influences that extended beyond jazz, a love of playing freely, a commitment to using all the sound potential of their respective instruments: Surman singing at the top of the baritone sax’s range to match Miroslav’s fiddle-like arco flourishes on the double bass. The redoubtable Jon Christensen shared their passion for playing, as did Kenny Kirkland, just 24 at the time of this session, on his way to becoming one of modern jazz’s outstanding pianists. Repertoire includes classic Miroslav pieces (“When Face Gets Pale”), collective improvising, and an early sighting of Surman’s relentlessly driving “Number Six”.

PERSONNEL:

MIROSLAV VITOUS, bass
JOHN SURMAN, soprano and baritone saxophones, bass clarinet
KENNY KIRKLAND, piano
JON CHRISTENSEN, drums

Recorded July 1980

TRACKS:

01. When Face Gets Pale
02. Second Meeting
03. Number Six
04. Inner Peace
05. Interplay
06. Gears
07. Sleeping Beauty
08. Eagle