John Stevens discography part 2: 1970 to 1974

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz Workshop broadcast

Trevor Watts (as/ss), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, November 14th, 1969; tr: BBC Radio 1, Jazz Workshop, Sun January 11th, 1970.

 

 Hope (Watts)                              545

 Expectancy (Stevens)                 915

 Tales of sadness (Watts)       1305

 Anxiety (Watts)                           445

 

Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra* For You To Share (cd - part)  

John Stevens (perc/voc), Trevor Watts (ss), plus unidentified group of workshop students playing saxophones, flute, guitar, double bass, percussion and voices.  Rec. in a London studio, January 23rd, 1970.

 

 Peace music (Stevens)              2746                                             Emanem 4023 (cd)

 

7.5ips mono copy master: NSA C577/116. Peace Music  is essentially the Sustained Piece  from the suite For You To Share. Reviewed in Cadence, vol. 24 (Aug 1998), p28-30.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra* For CND, For Peace, For You To Share** (lp/cd - part)

Trevor Watts (as/ss), John Stevens (d), with a workshop group comprising unidentified young musicians "who had just joined in and who were interested" and audience members "who werent playing but just wanted to take part... singing and playing gongs". Rec. live by Bob Brown at the Crypt, Ladbroke Grove, London, May 20th, 1970.

 

 For you to share (suite comp. Stevens)      Click piece                                  145         A Records A 01 (lp), Emanem 4023 (cd)

                                                                        Sustained piece 1                      1226                                                            

                                                                        Sustained piece 2                      1220                                                            

                                                                        If you want to see a vision        1035                                                            

 

Sustained piece 1  features  Watts (ss)/Stevens (perc) duo.

 

Unidentified personnel including what was then the nucleus of the large S.M.E." rec live by Bob Brown at an openair concert in Euston Square, London. Although the album sleeve cites the date 9 May 1970 for this piece, the production master box indicates May 23rd, 1970.

 

 Park piece (Stevens)                  1750                                                                                 A Records A 01 (lp)

 

2 x 15ips mono A Records LP prod. masters: C577/5657 (H5555). LP notes by Martin Davidson based on a 1973 interview with John Stevens include an account of the origins of the music in the composition Familie. Profits from the sale of the A Records LP (*originally released under the name Spontaneous Music Ensemble) were donated to CND. For the Emanem CD release (**re-titled For You To Share), Park piece  was replaced by the studio recording Peace music  from Jan 23rd, 1970.  LP reviewed by S. Lake in M. Maker 26/10/74 p65; cd reviewed in Cadence, vol. 24 (Aug 1998), p28-30.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live at Montreux Jazz Festival

Trevor Watts (ss/as*), John Stevens (perc). Rec. Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland, June 21st, 1970.

 

 untitled imps:             249, 1230, 1202, 2125*, 825*, 1033, 730

 

add unidentified ensemble of approx. 20 amateur musicians, same date?

 

 For you to share (Stevens)

 

3.75ips quarter-track mono reel: C577/124. The first three items appear to have been recorded beside the outdoor swimming pool before a small and inattentive audience. The poor recording therefore suffers from intrusive ambient noise.  The other items may have been recorded at a different performance at the festival, possibly indoors, although the recording quality is little better. For you to share  was probably at least 30 mins in duration but only 4 mins survives on the NSA tape. A notice in MM 14/3/70 (Jazz News) indicated Johns intention to take "as many of the 25piece SME as possible".

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz Club broadcast

Ray Warleigh (as), other unidentified personnel + John Stevens (d). Rec. live by BBC Radio, Camden Theatre, London, November 2nd, 1970; tr: BBC Radio 2 (mono) & 3 (stereo) Jazz Club, Sun November 22nd, 1970.

 

 Expectancy (Stevens)                500

 Birth (Stevens)                            435

 Time goes on (Stevens)             310

 Phil (Stevens)                       1320

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz in Britain broadcast

Trevor Watts (as/ss), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, Sun November 8th, 1970; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon December 28th, 1970.

 

 Fulfilment (Watts )                     1325

 Tribute to Trane (Watts)            1035

 Thirteen (Watts)                           200

 

Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz in Britain broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (fh), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as/fl), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Brian Smith (ts/ss), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live during a Music Now/Arts Council sponsored British tour, November 8th, 1970; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon December 7th, 1970.

 

 The source from and towards (suite, comp. Stevens)

                                                                        Part 1: Expectancy

                                                                        Part 2: Birth

                                                                        Part 3: Thanksgiving

                                                                        Part 4: Time goes on Version A

                                                                                                                 Version B

                                                                                                                 Version C

                                                                        Part 5: You know

 

NSA 7.5ips mono offair rec: 1656W. Note that the date of this recording and the Amalgam session preceding it appear to be the same.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble The Source From And Towards (lp)

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Bob Norden (tb), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as/fl), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Brian Smith (ts/ss), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Marcio Mattos (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. studio, London, November 18th, 1970.

 

 The source from and towards (suite, comp. )                            

                                                      Part 1: Expectancy                    Tangent TNGS 107 (lp)

                                                      Part 2: Birth                                                                  

                                    Part 3: Thanksgiving                                                    

                                                      Part 4: Time goes on Version A                               

                                                                                                Version B                             

                                                                                                Version C                            

                                                      Part 5: You know                                                          

 

(composed: John Stevens)

 

Time goes on  was based on a poem by Johns wife Anne.  LP reviewed by Jack Cooke in Jazz & Blues 0708/71 p28 & Into Jazz 5/74 p2526.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Jazz Meeting BadenBaden 1970

The 1970 festival was again organised by Joachim E. Berendt and was held in the studios of German Radio/Television station SWF (Sdwestfunk) Baden-Baden over six days in December 1970, selections broadcast on SWF Baden-Baden radio.

 

John Stevens & the BadenBaden Free Jazz Orchestra: precise personnel uncertain but prob. incl. most of the following (not all instruments): Don  Cherry (cor/fl/p/perc), Tomasz Stanko (tp/bells),  Manfred Schoof (tp), Albert Mangelsdorff (tb), Paul Rutherford (tb), Steve Lacy (ss),  John Tchicai (as/ss), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Peter Brtzmann (ts/bars/as), Willem Breuker (ts/bcl/cl/ss), Gunter Hampel (vib/bcl/fl), Joachim Kuhn (p), Johnny Dyani (b), Peter Warren (b), Dave Holland (b), Han Bennink (d/perc), Pierre Favre (d), John Stevens (d), Norma Winstone (voc), Karin Krog (voc). Rec. live by German Radio, Free Jazz Meeting, BadenBaden, Germany, December 7th, 1970.

 

 Lets sing for him (March in memory of Albert Ayler)  (Stevens)  535         7.5ips st. copy: NSA C577/117 (NP10693Y)

 

The performance included an excerpt from the Ayler album Ghosts and was arranged by John when news of his death was received at the Meeting.

 

John Stevens Group: small group including John Tchicai (as/ss/fl?), John Stevens (d). Rec. as above, ca. December 7-12th, 1970; tr: SWF Baden-Baden (German Radio)

 

 Forget and be forgotten (Stevens)

 

leader/composer (if any) unknown: Steve Lacy (ss), Peter Brtzmann (reeds), Derek Bailey (g), Dave Holland (b), John Stevens (d).

 

 unknown title/imp.

 

leader/composer unknown: Manfred Schoof (tp), Albert Mangelsdorff (tb), Steve Lacy (ss), Trevor Watts (as), John Surman (bars), Joachim Kuhn (p), Barre Phillips (b), Stu Martin (d), John Stevens (d), Norma Winstone (voc). Rec. as above, ca. December 7-12th, 1970.

 

 After the fight                 1550                                                                             7.5ips st. copy: NSA C577/117 (NP10693Y)

 

Norma Winstone (voc), Karin Krog (voc), Dave Holland (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. ca. December 7-12th, 1970.

 

 Womans liberation No. 1         632 (approx)                                                                     (title sic according to tape inlay)

 Womans liberation No. 2         635 (approx)

 

leader/composer unknown: Manfred Schoof (tp), John Tchicai (as), Willem Breuker (bcl), Gunter Hampel (vib/bcl), Peter Warren (b), Pierre Favre (d), John Stevens (d). Rec. as above, ca. December 712th, 1970.

 

 Interactions                    1422 (approx)

 

Gunter Hampel and the BadenBaden Free Jazz Orchestra: personnel unknown. Stevens participation in this piece has not been confirmed. Rec. as above, ca. December 7-12th, 1970.

 

 Celebration music (Four movements) (Hampel)

 

The fourth movement was recorded two days before the other three.

 

Don Cherry and the BadenBaden Free Jazz Orchestra: similar personnel to above, featuring Don Cherry (cor/cond.), Peter Brtzmann (ts), Han Bennink (perc), Norma Winstone (voc) & Krog (voc). Stevens participation in this piece has not been confirmed. Rec. as above, ca. December 7-12th, 1970.

 

 The whole earth catalog (Cherry) The individual

                                                           The universal

                                                           The eternal

 

Johnny Dyani and the BadenBaden Free Jazz Orchestra: Don Cherry (cor/p), Manfred Schoof (tp), Steve Lacy (ss), John Tchicai (ss), Trevor Watts (ss), Willem Breuker (ss), Gunter Hampel (fl), Johnny Dyani (b), Peter Warren (b), Dave Holland (b), Pierre Favre (d), John Stevens (d), Tomasz Stanko (bells). Rec. as above, ca. December 11-12th, 1970.

 

 The day the child cried (Dyani)

 

John Stevens was probably recorded playing with other combinations at the 1970 BadenBaden meeting but details are presently unavailable.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ray Warleigh Quintet Jazz Club broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (tp &/or fh), Ray Warleigh (as), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, January 11th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 1 (mono) and Radio 3 (stereo), Jazz Club, January 31st, 1971.

 

 Suspensions (M. Pyne)              1020

 Lover man (Davis/Ramirez)     1135

 Panic (M. Pyne)                            532

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble "So, What Do You Think?" (lp)

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (ss), Derek Bailey (g), Dave Holland (b/clo), John Stevens (d). Rec. London, January 27th, 1971.

 

 "So, what do you think?" Parts 1 & 2 (Stevens)       Tangent TGS 118 (lp)

 

Notes by Max Harrison. Reviewed by Brian Case in Into Jazz 5/7 p24.

 

A note in Trevor Watts diary indicates that the SME was in rehearsal at Tangent Studios (London) on March 24th 1971. Notwithstanding Jak Kilbys reports of an unissued session featuring Julie Tippetts on October 17th 1969 (see above), Trevor believes this Tangent Studios session was her first date with the group and the first at which she was involved in free improvisation.

  

John Stevens Saturday scene interview

John was interviewed by Doug Crawford at the BBCs Bush House, London, on April 1st, 1971. The five minute recording was used as an insert in a feature on the Spontaneous Music Ensemble in the BBC Radio series Saturday scene.

 

No known tape extant.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz Club broadcast

Trevor Watts (sax), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, April 5th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 2, Jazz Club, Sun May 2nd, 1971.

 

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                  910

 Fulfilment (Watts)                      230

 Its about time (Watts)                735

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                  100

 

Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Sounds of the Seventies broadcast

Trevor Watts (as/ss/voc?), Ron Herman (b/voc?), John Stevens (d/voc?), Julie Tippetts (voc/g). Rec. by BBC Radio, Camden Theatre, London, April 25th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 1, Sounds of the Seventies, May 14th, 1971.

 

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                                    200

 Nothing (Stevens)                                         235

 Sustained piece (Stevens)                           235

 If you want to see a vision (Stevens)           340

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                                    255

 

7.5ips st. copy from master (not offair): NSA C577/119. This session may not have been broadcast in its entirety.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz in Britain broadcast

Trevor Watts (ss), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d/glock), Julie Tippetts (voc/g). Rec. by BBC Radio, Camden Theatre?, London, April 25th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon June 21st, 1971.

 

 One, two, Albert Ayler (Stevens)                 400

 Birds of a feather (Stevens)                         800

 Chains of freedom (Stevens)                    1200

 Click piece* (Stevens)                                 200          

 

7.5ips st. copy: NSA C577/118. Continuous performance. Note that this programme was recorded on the same day as the Sounds of the Seventies session detailed above, presumably as part of the same session. *This piece may have been announced as Coda.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Live Big Band and Quartet (lp/cd)

Kenny Wheeler (tp), Ian Carr (tp), Chris Pyne (tb), Roland Czyzyk (pic), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Ray Warleigh (as), Brian Smith (ts), Karl Jenkins (bars), Peter Lemer (elp), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Herman (b), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d), Keith Bailey (d), Laurie Allen (d), John Marshall (d), Julie Tippetts (voc/g), Maggie Nicols (voc), Pepi Lemer (voc), Carolann Nicols (voc). Rec. live by Mike Steyn, Notre Dame Hall, Leicester Sq., London, May 7th, 1971.

 

 Lets sing for him (a march for Albert Ayler) (Stevens)                2123         Vinyl VS 0015 (lp), Konnex KCD 5045 (cd)

 

all out except Watts (ss), Herman, Stevens, Tippetts

 

 One, Two, Albert Ayler/Birds of a feather/Nothing (Stevens)        2435         Vinyl VS 0015 (lp), Konnex KCD 5027 (cd)

 

7.5ips st. copy of Quartet item only: NSA C577/122. Konnex KCD 5045 title: John Stevens Works SME Big Band & Quintet; Konnex KCD 5027 title: John Stevens Works Retouch & Quartet. Both discs reviewed by Michael Rosenstein in Cadence no. 20 (March 94) p30-31. This concert also featured a performance of The source  by a 10-piece band drawn from the above, although the existence of a recording has not been confirmed. Concert billed in Melody Maker 8/5/71 p4 and reviewed by Michael Walters in Sounds 15/5/71 p26.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble 1.2. Albert Ayler (lp)

Trevor Watts (ss), Julie Tippetts (voc/g), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (perc/voc). Rec. live in Oslo, Norway, May 20th 1971.

 

 1.2. Albert Ayler Part 1 (Stevens)             Affinity AFF 81 (lp)

 1.2. Albert Ayler Part 2 (Stevens)                              

The concert was reviewed by Barry McRae in Jazz Journal Int. vol. 37 (5/84) p20.

 

2 x 7.5ips st. reels: NSA C577/120-121. Notes by Anthony Wood include history of the S.M.E. and the Little Theatre Club etc. The group were in Norway from May 16th-22nd (inclusive) and performed both in the afternoon and the evening of May 20th. This version of the SME performed very few times in Britain and finished in late 1971 when Julie Tippetts left. Reviewed by Barry McRae in Jazz Journal Int. vol. 35 (11/82) p39. Reviewed in Jazz Journal Int., Nov 1982, p39

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Norwegian television broadcast

Trevor Watts (ss), Julie Tippetts (voc/g), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (perc/voc). Filmed by Norwegian television, Oslo, May 21st 1971. 

 

  unknown titles

 

Trevor Watts diary for this period notes a Norwegian television recording on this date. Not presently known when the recording was broadcast or if the recording survives. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bobby Bradford with John Stevens and the Spontaneous Music Ensemble Vols 1 & 2 (lp)

Bobby Bradford (tp), Bob Norden (tb), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d/perc), Julie Tippetts (voc)* Rec. Polydorowned studio, London, July 9th, 1971.

 

 His Majesty Louis (Bradford)                                                                               Nessa N 17 (lp)

 Room 408 (Bradford)                                                                                                          

 Fragment (Stevens)                                                                             Nessa N 18 (lp)

 Tolerance/To Bob (Stevens)*                                                          Freedom FLP 40111 (lp), Nessa N 17 (lp)

 Trane rider/Ornettement/DooDee (Stevens) no tb                  Freedom FLP 40111 (lp), Nessa N 18 (lp)

 Bridgets mother (Bradford/Watts)* 1.                                          Freedom FLP 40111 (lp), Nessa N 17 (lp)

 Rhythm piece (Stevens)* 2.                                                                              Nessa N 18 (lp)

 Norway                                                                                                                                 

 

1. No tb, b, d (i.e. Watts/Bradford/Tippetts only)

2. Tippetts also plays guitar

 

Titles on FLP 40111 were also issued on Intercord (Eur) 284653U, Freedom (Germany) 28465, (Germany) 127302, (Italy) 40111, (Japan) PA 7053. Vol 1 reviewed in Coda vol. 80 (1/10/81) p22, Vol 2 reviewed in Cadence vol. 12 (2/86) p75-76.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Birds Of A Feather (lp)

Trevor Watts (ss), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d), Julie Tippetts (voc/g). Rec. in Herouville, France, July 27th, 1971.

 

 One, two, Albert Ayler (Stevens)           Byg (France) 529 023 (lp)

 Birds of a feather (Stevens)                                          

 Nothing (Stevens)                                                          

 Chains (Stevens)                                                           

 

The group were in France from July 25th-July 30th. The following unissued titles were also recorded during this visit:

 

 Do it                                                             Byg (unissued)

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                                                     

 Click piece (Stevens)                                                    

 Sustained piece (Stevens)                                            

 Some people (Stevens) 1                                           

 

add Bob Norden (tb or p)

 

 Run                                                                                 

 Nursery time (Stevens)                                                

 C4 (Stevens)                                                                  

 

1. Watts/Tippetts only. Album reviewed by Michael James in Jazz & Blues 1/73 p33; Michael Walters in Sounds 5/8/72 p14.

 

Gigs: As Trevor Watts later informed Martin Davidson: Later that year we played Palermo Pop festival in a football stadium. Half were shouting Julie's name, the other half throwing dirt at us rolled up in newspaper. We then were trapped in the dressing room for a while after the gig with people either wanting to kill us or hug us. That was sometime between Sept 5th and 8th 1971. The group played at (the Festival Humanite?) in Paris on September.

  

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live at Collegiate Theatre

Trevor Watts (ss/as), prob. Ray Warleigh (as), Brian Smith? (fl/ts), Pete Lemer (p), Ron Herman (b), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d), Maggie Nicols (voc), Pepi Lemer? (voc), Julie Tippetts (voc). Rec. live at the Collegiate Theatre, London, October 7th, 1971.

 

 unknown title (i)/unknown title (ii)               3655 total

 unknown title (ii) cont. on 2nd reel               1850

 Rhythm is (Stevens)                                    1027

 Ghost (Stevens)                                            2330

 

3 x 15ips st. reels: NSA C577/3436

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz in Britain broadcast

Trevor Watts (as), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, studio, London, October 10th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon November 1st, 1971.

 

 Higgins (Stevens*)                     300

 Unity (Watts)                              800

 For Derek (Watts)                   1100

 

Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz Club broadcast

Trevor Watts (as), Mike Pyne (p), Ron Mathewson (b), John Stevens (d), Pepi Lemer (voc). Rec. live by BBC Radio, October 18th, 1971; tr: BBC Radio 2 + stereo on VHF Radio 3,  Jazz Club, November 7th, 1971.

 

 Trevs day (Stevens)/One, two, O.C. (Stevens)

 Higgins (Stevens)*

 

*Humphrey Lyttelton announced this piece and noted its dedication but it was faded out after only seven seconds as the programmes airtime was over! It may have been recorded in full but probably no longer survives. Trevs day  aka Rhythm is.   [Offair tape copy survives]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live at the Berliner Jazztage Festival

Radu Malfatti (tb), Trevor Watts (ss), Irne Schweizer (p), Arjen Gorter (b), John Stevens (perc/voc). Rec. live at the Now Music Night, Technical University, Berlin Jazz Festival, Sat November 6th, 1971.

 

 unknown title  2700 (approx)

 

This festival was organised by Joachim E. Berendt, who may have organised good quality recordings for his German radio programmes, although this has yet to be confirmed. There may be additional sets featuring Stevens.  Cassette dub of this set survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble with Sonny and Linda Sharrock Berlin

Sonny Sharrock (elg), John Stevens (d), Linda Sharrock (voc) + Trevor Watts (as), Ron Herman (b). Rec. live in Berlin, prob. at the Jazz Tage Festival, ca. November 6th, 1971.

 

 unknown title*            4615

 

3.75ips mono reel (v. poor sound): NSA C577/124. This mainly improvised piece is largely a long guitar/drums duo with occasional vocal contributions from Linda Sharrock. The sax and bass are only heard in the last two or three minutes and are very poorly recorded. This may also have been part of the Now Music Night  on Saturday November 6th.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble with Sonny Sharrock & Irne Schweizer Berlin?

Trevor Watts (as), prob. Irne Schweizer (p), Sonny Sharrock (elg), John Stevens (d). Prob. rec. same location/date as above.

 

 unknown title         544

 

Dig. dub from cass. copy of reel: NSA C577/190 (iv). See notes for entries above.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live at the 100 Club

Trevor Watts (ss/as), Ray Warleigh (as/fl), Irne Schweizer (p), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live by Mike Steyn, 100 Club, London, December 20th, 1971.

 

 Limbo blues (Stevens?)                               Tangent (unissued)

 What to do not to do (Stevens)                    

 Albert (Stevens)                                                             

 Call (Stevens)                                                                

 Ealing (Stevens)                                                            

 Hospitality (Stevens?)                                                   

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live

10-piece band incl. John Stevens (d). Rec. live by Bob Brown, unknown location, January 19th, 1972.

 

 Ghost (JS)

 [Reflect] (JS)

 

Rec. not located. Info. from notes held by Victor Schonfield.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Splinters live at the Grass Roots

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Tubby Hayes (ts/), Stan Tracey (p), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d), Phil Seamen (d). Rec. by Trevor Watts, London, January 1972.

 

 unknown titles/imps.

 

Master recording survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz Club broadcast

Trevor Watts (as), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio at the British Council Students Centre, London, February 4th, 1972; tr: BBC Radio 2, Jazz Club, March 19th, 1972.

 

 Unity suite Part 4 (Watts)   1515

 Unity suite Part 5 (Watts)   1058

 

Tape copies survive.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Play Blackwell and Higgins (side 1)

Trevor Watts (as), Ron Herman (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live by Trevor Watts, Birmingham Arts Lab, March 23rd, 1972.

 

 Blackwell (Stevens)                     A Records A 02 (lp)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bob Downes Open Music Jazz in Britain broadcast

Bob Downes (reeds), Dave Cole (guitar), Marc Meggido (bg?), Barry Guy (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. studio, BBC Radio, London, ca. April 1972?; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain,  [April 17th, 1972?]

 

 South America suite (Downes) - Sad sonata

                                                        - Scorpio

                                                        - The revolution

 

The date is presently unconfirmed.  Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz in Britain broadcast

John Stevens (d/cor), Paul Rutherford (tb), Utako Ikeda (fl), Simon [Denis-Chevsky] (cl), Lol Coxhill (ss), Peter Westbrook (ss), Trevor Watts (ss/as), Herman Hauge (as), Lou Gare (ts), Larry Stabbins (ts), Mike Barton (viola), Stan Tracey (p), Christopher Small (p), Derek Bailey (g), David Toop (g), Chris Turner (hca), Ron Herman (b), Jeff Clyne (b), Jak Kilby (voc/thumb p), Paul Burwell (tabla). Rec. BBC studio, London, April 9th, 1972; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, May 11th, 1972.

 

 suite: Encompass (JS) Part 1: Search & reflect

                                       Part 2: Stay where you are*

                                      Part 3: Ghost                           total 2515

            

*incl. trio improv. by Watts (as), Herman (b), Stevens (c) + Kilby (thumb p).

 

7.5ips st. copy: NSA C577/125 (NP10717Y) + 7.5ips mono offair rec: NP1986.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Splinters live at the 100 Club

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (ss?/as), Tubby Hayes (ts/fl), Stan Tracey (p), Jeff  Clyne (b), Phil Seamen, John Stevens (d). Rec. live, 100 Club, Oxford Street, London, May 22nd, 1972.

 

  unknown titles/imps.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Ken Hyders Talisker Jazz Workshop broadcast

Personnel unconfirmed but including John Stevens (cornet), Ken Hyder (percussion). Rec. BBC studio, London, ca. July 1972; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz Workshop, July 21st, 1972.

 

 unknown titles

 

Not held.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live at the Little Theatre Club

Trevor Watts (as/ss), John Stevens (d/cor). Rec. live by Bob Brown &/or Trevor Watts, London, ca. 1971-1972.

 

 untitled imps?

 

This is a catch-all entry for possibly more than one recording of the Watts/Stevens duo known to have been made by Trevor &/or Bob Brown during this period. Additional details unavailable.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble live in Cheltenham

Trevor Watts (as/ss), John Stevens (d/cor?). Rec. live by Trevor Watts or Bob Brown, unknown venue, Cheltenham, 1972.

 

 untitled imps?  

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mustapha Tettey Addy/John Stevens duos

Mustapha Tettey Addy (d/perc), John Stevens (d/perc). Rec. [studio] by Mike Steyn, ca. early 1970s.

 

 unknown titles/imps.                   Tangent (unissued)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Splinters live at the Grass Roots

prob. Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Tubby Hayes (ts/?), Stan Tracey (p), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live by Trevor Watts, London, Sept 1972.

 

 unknown titles/imps.

 

Master tape survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Splinters Jazz Workshop broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (as), Tubby Hayes (ts/fl), Stan Tracey (p), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, studio, London, November 29th, 1972; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz Workshop, Thur December 28th, 1972 (repeated December 21st, 1973).

 

 John Stevens & Tubby Hayes interviewed by Ian Carr        430

 Sixpiece group improvisation                                            2355

 

NSA mono 7.5ips offair rec: 2166R.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Phil Seamen Benefit

Trevor Watts (as/ss), John Stevens (d/cor?). Rec. live by Trevor Watts or Bob Brown, Little Theatre Club, London, late 1972.

 

 untitled imps?

 

There is also rumoured to be a recording of the SME augmented by members of AMM from this period (ca. 1971-1972), but this has not been comnfirmed and additional details are unknown.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Harry Becketts Awakening Spirit British Council Student Centre concert

Harry Beckett (tp/fh), Trevor Watts (ss/as), Stan Tracey (p), Jeff Clyne (b), Louis Moholo, John Stevens (d). Rec. live, December 15th, 1972.

 

 unknown titles

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

John Stevens Sounds of the 70s: Sequence broadcast

John Stevens (d/perc/cor?). Rec. by BBC Radio, tr: BBC R1, ca. late 1972-early 1973?  This Friday evening edition of Radio 1s Sounds of the 70s featured a session by a progressive pop/rock group with improvised links supplied by a different guest musician each week. One programme featured improvised links by John. Additional details presently unknown.  

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bob Downes Alternative Medicine Jazz in Britain broadcast

Bob Downes (ts/as/fl/voc), Brian Godding (elg), Barry Guy (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, studio, London, unknown date (ca. early 1970s?); tr: BBC R3, Jazz in Britain, ca. 1972/73?

 

 One for Sonny (Downes)

 Lay Lola Lay (Downes)

 Whatever happened to the Summertime? (Downes)

 

Tape copy survives.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Splinters live

personnel unconfirmed, poss. Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Lol Coxhill (ss), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Peter King (as), poss. Stan Tracey (p), poss. Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live by Trevor Watts, unknown location(s), ca. 1972/1973.

 

 unknown titles/imps.

 

Master(s) survive.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Jazz Workshop broadcast

prob. Trevor Watts (ss/as?), John Stevens (perc/cor?), others unconfirmed. Rec. BBC Radio, 3 January 1973; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz Workshop, Fri February 9th, 1973.

 

 suite of five duettes*      2815

 

Group improvisations (*title as given in BBC Written Archives files)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Play Blackwell and Higgins (lp side 2)

Trevor Watts (as), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by Trevor Watts live at the Phoenix, London, January 24th, 1973.

 

 Higgins (Stevens)                  A Records A 02

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mongezi Feza/John Stevens at the Crypt

Mongezi Feza (tp), John Stevens (d). Rec. by Trevor Watts at The Crypt, Notting Hill, early 1970s.

 

 unknown titles

 

Cassette master survives.

 

Gigs: Splinters (K. Wheeler/T. Watts/S. Tracey/J. Clyne/J. Stevens) played Notre Dame Hall, 16/2/73 reviewed by Jack Cooke in Jazz & Blues 2/73 p32, & Martin Davidson in Melody Maker 24/2/73 p47. May have been recorded by Trevor Watts. JS was also billed to appear with Eddie Prvosts Spirals in a concert of Ritual Music Theatre at the Roundhouse, 2/3/73, and possibly at Aston University, Birmingham, 27/2/73. This was previewed in MM (3/3/73) to feature a 50-strong band including Lou Gare/Trevor Watts/Evan Parker/Geoff Hawkins/Lol Coxhill/Mike Brannan/David Toop (reeds & pipes), Phil Wachsmann/George Jensen (strings), Gavin Bryars/Barry Guy/Ron Herman (b), Eddie Prvost/John Stevens/Frank Perry/ Paul Lytton (d/perc) + chimes players etc. 

 

Spontaneous Music Ensemble   How Ya Doin?

Trevor Watts (ss), John Stevens (perc/cor). Poss. recorded live at the Festival of Improvised Music, Wolverhampton Art College, April 5th, 1973*    

 

 unknown title                              Nondo 003 (lp)*

 

The SME contributed one track only to this various artists compilation. *Or at Birmingham Arts Lab, same week?

________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra Almost Free Theatre

Spontaneous Music Orchestra: unidentified cor, tp, ss, as, ts, b, voc* etc. Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Almost Free Theatre, London, 1 May 1973.

 

 Sustained piece  1 (loud instrumental aborted by JS) 700

                             2 (instrumental) 900                                      Emanem 4039 (cd)

                             3 (vocal)* 3630                                                                                         (first 547 only)

 

15 ips st. master: NSA C577/14 (H7195). CD notes by Martin Davidson.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bethnal Green Workshop/Spontaneous Music Orchestra Little Theatre Club

Bethnal Green Workshop: unidentified ss, as, ts, fl, Brian Eley (voc), Robin Musgrove (perc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, May 8th, 1973.

 

 unknown title/imp.                                         1600 approx.

 

Spontaneous Music Orchestra: unidentified, prob. incl. members of the Bethnal Green Workshop (above) and John Stevens (perc), same location/date.

 

 DooDee (Stevens)                                      2345

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/15 (H7196). The Bethnal Green Workshops were alternately tutored by John or Maggie Nicols and the musicians were sometimes invited to perform as a group at the Little Theatre Club. Other participants at this time included Paul Shearsmith (tp), Robert Calvert (saxes/sopranino), Pete Luxton (voc), Alan Smith? (ss). The workshop members would then be augmented by the S.M.E. and any other musicians present to form the Spontaneous Music Orchestra.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space/Bethnal Green Workshop Little Theatre Club

John Stevens (d), Robin Musgrove (d), Dave Solomon (d), Terry Day (d). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, June 3rd, 1973.

 

 untitled imp. [ka Four drummers]              1830

 

Free Space: John Stevens (cor/perc), Trevor Watts (ss), Herman Hauge (as), Nigel Coombes (vln), prob. Ron Herman [or Marc Meggido] (b), Terry Day (perc). Rec. same location/date as above.

 

 Doodee (Stevens)                                       2500

 unknown title                                                 2900

 

Bethnal Green Workshop: unknown as, ts, oboe, Brian Eley (voc), Robin Musgrove (perc). Rec. same location/date as above.

 

 Search and reflect (Stevens)                       1500

 

2 x 15ips st. masters: NSA C577/1617 (H7197)

 

The group Free Space was founded by percussionist Terry Day but seems to have been largely under Johns control at Little Theatre Club performances.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space Little Theatre Club

John Stevens (cor/perc), Trevor Watts (ss), Herman Hauge (as), Nigel Coombes (vln), prob. Ron Herman [or Marc Meggido] (b), Terry Day (perc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, June 8th, 1973.

 

 unknown title    [2nd set]                               2730

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/18

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space Little Theatre Club

John Stevens (cor/voc), Trevor Watts (as), Herman Hauge (as), Nigel Coombes (vln), Terry Day (perc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, ca. Summer 1973.

 

 unknown title                                                 1750  [start missing]

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/20 (H7199).

This incomplete item was on the same reel as (and partly overwritten by) the S.M.O. 28 September 1973 item.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

John Stevens Improvising Percussionist (various artists)

John Stevens (percussion, trumpet solo). Rec. by Trevor Taylor, Pye Studios, London, ca. 1974.

 

 unknown title                                  approx. 1200                             FMR CD81 (cd)

 

This recording was made for a projected LP issue in the early 1970s, but not released at the time. The recordings coincided with a series of interviews with British improvising percussionists which appeared in the magazine Drums and Percussion. John plays his small SME kit. Reviewed in Avant 97/2 p55.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space/Spontaneous Music Orchestra live at the ICA

Free Space: John Stevens (cor/voc), Trevor Watts (ss), Herman Hauge (as), Nigel Coombes (vln), John Russell (g), Ron Herman (b), Marc Meggido (b), Dave Solomon (d). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, I.C.A. Theatre, London, July 1st, 1973.

 

 unknown title                                                 1520

 

Spontaneous Music Orchestra: unidentified personnel prob. including members of Free Space as above; rec same location/date.

 

 One-Two                                                       1042/                                            Emanem 4039 (cd)

 DooDee (Stevens)                    2930 (recording incomplete)            unissued

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/19 (H7198) + 7.5ips dup. of part: C577/126. One-Two evolved without pause into the piece Doo-Dee, but only the former has been issued. CD notes by Martin Davidson. 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Open Circle live at the Grass Roots club

Trevor Watts (as), Stan Tracey (p), Danny Thompson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live at the Grass Roots club, The Swan (public house), Stockwell, London, July 24th, 1973

 

 unknown titles

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Steve Lacy The Crust

Steve Lacy (ss) [except**], Steve Potts (as/ss) [except*&**], Derek Bailey (g), Kent Carter (b), John Stevens (perc). Rec. live at the 100 Club, London, July 30th, 1973.

 

 The crust                                     1000               Emanem 304 (lp)

 A bit of the crust**       226 excerpt from above                              Emanem 4027 (cd)

 38                                                 1257                                                             Emanem 4024 (cd)

 Flakes                                          737                                                                                -

 Revolutionary suicide                 339                                                                                -

 Out of the dumps*                       212                      unissued

 A bit of the dumps**  330                 Emanem 304 (lp),                 Emanem 4027 (cd)

 The owl                                        620                           

 

All titles in Emanem 304 also issued in Victor (Japan) VIP 6635 (lp)

 

CD notes by Martin Davidson (1998/1999).  Emanem 4024 titled Saxophone Special +, includes pieces without Stevens from a later date. Emanem 4027 is a Derek Bailey CD anthology titled Fairly Early with Postscripts. The same quintet lineup also played a concert at the Victoria & Albert Museum around this week which was reviewed by Michael James in Jazz & Blues 10/73 p15.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Jazz Workshop broadcast

Trevor Watts (as/ss*), Evan Parker (ss), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, September 21st, 1973; tr: BBC Radio 3 Jazz Workshop, Fri October 26th, 1973.

 

 Prelude (Watts)                          315

 Call (Stevens)          900

 Ealing (Stevens)                      1245

 Coda (Watts)            300

 

Introduced by Ian Carr. Selections from this radio session were at one stage planned for issue on the unreleased Amalgam LP Ripple (Emanem) along with 1974 recordings by the trio of Trevor Watts/Kent Carter/John Stevens. Although listed on Emanem sleeve inserts as forthcoming the album was never released. Tape copy survives.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra Mouthpiece (cd)

John Stevens (cor/voc), Trevor Watts (ss), 2 x unidentified (as), prob. Nigel Coombes (vln), probably John Russell (elg), unidentified (p), unidentified (b), probably Dave Solomon and Robin Musgrove (perc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, 28 September 1973.

 

 In relationship to silence             2257                           Emanem 4039 (cd)

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/20 (H7199). This item appears to overwrite an incompletely erased recording of Free Space, still audible at low level. John gives verbal instructions to the orchestra at the start and concludes the piece with the words, and so to bed (omitted from the cd issue).  The title, given by Martin Davidson for the Emanem cd issue, was based on Johns instructions to the orchestra at the start.   ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Quintessence 2 (part)

John Stevens (cor/perc/voc), Trevor Watts (ss). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, October 11th, 1973.

 

 Corsop (group imp.) 1108                           Emanem 4016 (cd)

 Daaoom (Stevens) 1018                                            

 Flower                                           925                                      unissued

 

add Derek Bailey (g)

 

 unknown title*                                                                             unissued

 

2 x 15ips st. masters (incl. unissued): NSA C577/2122 (H4813 excluding last item). *This item was seriously flawed by an electrical fault which occurred during recording. The remainder of this CD comprises part of a concert from Feb 3rd, 1974. CD reviewed by Richard Leigh in Resonance Vol. 6, No. 1 (1997) p42-43; p42-43; Coda no. 280, July-Aug 1998, p38-9; Cadence, Sept 1997, p29-30

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Quintessence 1 (part)

Trevor Watts (ss), Kent Carter (b), John Stevens (perc/voc/cor*). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London,  October 18th, 1973.

 

 Rambunctious 1 (group imp.)                      1836                                                               Emanem 4015 (cd)

 Rambunctious 2 (group imp.)                      1720 (last 447 only issued)                                          

 Daaoom* (Stevens)                                    1520 (first 505 only issued)                                          

 

3 x 15ips st. masters (incl. unissued portions): NSA C577/2325 (H4813). Insert notes by Martin Davidson. The remainder of this CD comprises part of a concert from Feb 3, 1974. CD reviewed by Richard Leigh in Resonance Vol 6, # 1 (1977) p42-43; Coda no. 280, July-Aug 1998, p38-9; ; Cadence, Sept 1997, p29-30

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space Musicians Coop live at Ronnie Scotts

John Stevens (cor), Bobby Bradford (cor), Utako Ikeda (fl), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Herman Hauge (as), Dave de Cobain (ss or ts), Nigel Coombes (vln), John Russell (g), Marc Meggido (b), Terry Day (perc), Robin  Musgrove (perc), Dave Solomon (perc), Chris Turner (hca), Brian Eley (voc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club, London, October 21st, 1973. 

 

 Ghost (Stevens)        3328 + 1800             [interrupted by tape change]

 

2 x 15ips st. masters: NSA C577/2627 (H7200)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Derek Bailey/John Stevens/Trevor Watts Dynamics Of The Impromptu (cd - part)

Trevor watts (ss), Derek Bailey (g), John Stevens (perc/cor). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, November 12th, 1973.

 

 Impromptu dynamics 1                910                           Entropy Stereo ESR 004 (cd)

 untitled imp.                                 1705                                             unissued

 

Master tape probably held by Trevor Watts.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bobby Bradford Loves Dream

Bobby Bradford (cor), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Kent Carter (b), John Stevens (perc/cor). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Le Chat Qui Peche, Paris, November 16th, 1973.

 

 Roswitas dance (Bradford)       1128        Emanem 302 (lp), Emanem (USA) 3302 (lp)

 Coming on (Bradford)                1643                                                            

 

as above, rec November 17th, 1973

 

 Woman (Bradford)                     805                                                                

 Loves dream (Bradford)        1643                                                                

 Room 408 (Bradford)             1010                              

 HM Louis I (Bradford)                                             unissued

 

Album notes include biographies of each musician by Martin Davidson.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stan Traceys Open Circle Radio 3 broadcast

Stan Tracey (p), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Danny Thompson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live by BBC Radio, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, November 19th, 1973; tr: BBC Radio 3, Stan Tracey 30 Years in Jazz, Mon June 3rd, 1974.

 

 Cooee Q.E. (Tracey)     3701

 

This was part of a concert and (later) broadcast celebrating Traceys 30th year in jazz, which also featured a solo performance by Tracey and a duo by Tracey and Mike Osborne. Unusually, this concert recording was retained by the BBC Sound Archive (T36325-26). Open Circle had previously performed as the Stan Tracey Quartet at a benefit concert for Tubby Hayes children which was held at the Swan on July 24th, 1973 (not known to have been recorded).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra Mouthpiece (cd - remainder)

Unidentified large group, prob. incl. John Russell (voc/g), Dave Panton (voc/reeds/p?), John Stevens (voc/d), Robin Musgrove (voc/d?). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Ealing Technical College, London, 23 November 1973.

 

 Mouthpiece (Stevens)           2435                                                  Emanem 4039 (cd)

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/28 (H7201). CD insert notes by Martin Davidson, cover paintings by John Stevens.  

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Face To Face (lp/cd part)

Trevor Watts (ss), John Stevens (perc/cor*/voice). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, November 29th, 1973.

 

 Preface to face A                         330                                               Emanem 4003 (cd)

 Preface to face B                         416                                                                

 Face to face 1*                         1034               Emanem 303 (lp),                    

 

as above, rec December 6th, 1973

 

 Face to face 2 [middle]               406                                                              

 Face to face 2 [end]   138                                                                

 Face to face 3                              357                                                              

 Face to face 4                              529                                                              

 Face to face 5                              915                                                              

 Face to face 6* (no perc)            448                                                              

 

Original LP reviewed by Steve Lake in Melody Maker 21/6/75 p30; LP reviewed by E. Chadbourne in Coda no. 153 (Jan/Feb 1977), p17-18; reissue in Coda Magazine no, 266 (Mar-April 1996), p31; in Cadence, Oct 1995, p45

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Space Little Theatre Club

similar to October 21st, 1973 personnel? Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, December 12th, 1973.

 

 Danceband (Stevens)                 4140

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/29 (H7202). This reel also includes last 2 mins of an unidentified (Colemanesque) jazz piece from a different date.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Little Theatre Club

Trevor Watts (ss), John Stevens (perc). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, December 14th, 1973.

 

 Untogether together (Stevens) 1               001

                                                        2            015

                                                        3            001

                                                        4            034 (bd)

                                                        5            149

                                                        6            027

                                                        7            136

 Flower      144    

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/25 (H4813). Martin Davidson explained this clickpiece composition of Johns, which required the musicians to improvise transient notes/beats with no predetermined rhythm, the piece ending when the instruments eventually coincided. In two instances the piece had a duration of only one second as when Trevor and John started the piece simultaneously, the first notes were also the last.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Face To Face  (lp/cd remainder)

Trevor Watts (ss), John Stevens (perc/cor). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, December 14th, 1973.

 

 Face to face 7 [middle & end] 1016            Emanem 303 (lp), 4003 (cd)

 

Album notes by John Stevens. LP reviewed by E. Chadbourne in Coda no. 153 (Jan/Feb 1977), p17-18; reissue in Coda Magazine no, 266 (Mar-April 1996), p31; in Cadence, Oct 1995, p45

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Derek Bailey/John Stevens/Trevor Watts Dynamics Of The Impromptu (cd - part)

Trevor watts (ss), Derek Bailey (elg), John Stevens (perc/cor*). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, December 18th, 1973.

 

 Impromptu dynamics 2               1622                          Entropy Stereo ESR 004 (cd)

 Impromptu dynamics 3*                805                                                 _

 

Master tape (prob. 15ips stereo) suffers poor audio balance.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Little Theatre Club

John Stevens (cor), Trevor Watts (as). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, January 10th, 1974. 

 

 untitled imp.                                                   1332

 untitled imp. [cont. on 2nd reel]  2014 total

 

Watts (ss), Stevens (perc). Same rec location/date.

 

 untitled imp.                                                     405

 untitled imp.                                                   1605

 

2 x 15ips st. masters: C577/3031

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stan Traceys Open Circle Jazz in Britain broadcast

Trevor Watts (ss/as), Stan Tracey (p), Danny Thompson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by BBC Radio, London, January 11th, 1974; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon February 11th, 1974.

 

 Cooee Q.E. (Tracey)                2825

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Derek Bailey/John Stevens/Trevor Watts Dynamics Of The Impromptu (cd - remainder)

Trevor watts (ss), Derek Bailey (elg), John Stevens (perc/cor). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, January 17th 1974.

 

 Impromptu dynamics 4               1442                          Entropy Stereo ESR 004 (cd)

 Impromptu dynamics 5                 951                                                 _

 Impromptu dynamics 6              1233                                                  _

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Orchestra Plus Equals (cd remainder)

unidentified personnel incl. John Stevens (cor), Trevor Watts (ss), Nigel Coombes (vln), John Russell (g). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, Little Theatre Club, London, 24 January 1974.

 

 SMO at LTC              2915* (2021 only issued)                             Emanem 4062 (cd)

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/32 (H7203).  This piece (barring the first 5 minutes, which remain unissued) was first issued in 2001 as a bonus track in the cd reissue of the album SME + = SMO. The title was given by Martin Davidson. Insert notes by Martin Davidson.

 

Gigs (not nec. recorded): Alan Skidmore, Stan Tracey Trio, Lindsay Cooper, John Stevens played Room At The Top on Fri 8 February 1974. Spontaneous Music Ensemble played Polytechnic of Central London on Thur 14 February 1974. Stan Tracey, John Stevens and Dave Green also played at the opening night of the Polytechnic of Central Londons Jazz & Blues Society (announced in MM 23/2/74 p16). Ronnie Ross, Stan Tracey Trio, Lindsay Cooper, John Stevens played Room At The Top on Fri 15 February 1974. S.M.E. and Derek Bailey played Little Theatre Club, Thur 21 February 1974. Peter King, Stan Tracey, Lindsay Cooper, John Stevens at Room At The Top, Fri 1 March 1974. Mike Osborne, Stan Tracey, Lindsay Cooper, John Stevens at Room At The Top, Sun 10 March 1974.

 

Amalgam Ripple

Trevor Watts (as/ss?), Kent Carter (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by Martin Davidson at his home, London, 1974.

 

 Ripple                                                                                                Emanem (unissued)

 unknown titles (Watts comps + poss. Stevens)                                                     

 

This recording was at one stage planned for issue on Emanem LP along with selections from the Amalgam broadcast of October 26th, 1973. Although listed on Emanem sleeve inserts as forthcoming, it was never released.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spontaneous Music Ensemble Quintessence 1 & 2*

Evan Parker (ss), Trevor Watts (ss), Derek Bailey (g), Kent Carter (clo/b), John Stevens (perc/cor). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, the ICA Theatre, London, February 3rd, 1974.

 

 Forty minutes                                                4011                           Emanem (Aus) 3401 (lp), Emanem 4015 (cd)

 Thirtyfive minutes                                       3430                           Emanem (Aus) 3402 (lp), Emanem 4016 (cd)

 Ten minutes                                                  1000                                                                                  

 

*Original LP issue titled Eighty-Five Minutes - Parts 1 & 2. Notes by Martin Davidson. Concert reviewed by Ken Hyder in Melody Maker 16/2/74 p48. Album Part 1 reviewed in Cadence vol. 14 (6/88) p83, & in Jazz Journal Int. vol. 40 (5/87) p36. Reviewed in Jazz Forum n109 (1987) p57-58. Concert preview in Into Jazz 2/74 p3. The  CD issues also include selections from LTC concerts of October 11 & 18, 1973. CD reviewed by Richard Leigh in Resonance Vol. 6, No. 1 (1977) p42-43; p42-43; Coda no. 280, July-Aug 1998, p38-9; Cadence, Sept 1997, p29-30

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Capital Radio First All-night Jazz Jam broadcast

Stan and Jackie Tracey organised the first ever allnight broadcast of live jazz on British radio, which took place on Capital Radio from 2.006.30am on the morning of Sunday February 24th, 1974. The programme, presented by Paddy OByrne, featured big band pieces, small group improvisations, interviews with the musicians and nonplaying guests such as Steve Lake, Ron Brown and Charles Alexander, and a live phonein. 

 

Henry Lowther (tp), Sandy Brown (cl), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Don Weller (ts), Trevor Watts (as/ss²), John Surman (ss/bcl¹), Stan Tracey (p), Lindsay Cooper (b), John Stevens (perc).

 

 untitled imp. (Promethean)¹                                       1902   (broadcast ca. 2.04-2.23 am)

 untitled imp. ²                                                                  1613

 

all out except John Stevens (cor), Trevor Watts (ss)

 

 untitled imp.                                                                      440  (broadcast ca. 3.15-3.20 am)

 

Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Lindsay Cooper (b), John Stevens (d).

 

 Round midnight (Monk)                                                 801  (broadcast ca. 3.24-3.32 am)

 

The Stevens/Watts duo was not announced as an S.M.E. performance. It seems to have been poorly micd and was spoiled by reverb. Following the last piece detailed above, the musicians were joined by Mike Osborne (as), Evan Parker (ss/ts) and Paul Lytton (d/perc), and at some stage Henry Lowther added violin. No tapes of the remainder of the programme have yet been located but John Stevens was almost certainly included in other groups assembled. The event was reviewed by Steve Lake in MM 2/3/74 p20 and by Ron Brown in Into Jazz 4/74 p2. Some additional offair recordings from this evening are also known to exist, but not necessarily featuring John Stevens.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Steve Lacy, Trevor Watts, John Stevens and Free Space at the ICA

John Stevens (cor), Trevor Watts (ss), Herman Hauge (as), Nigel Coombes (vln), Peter Drew? [or Simon Mortimer?] (p), prob. Roger Smith (g), Angus Fraser (b). Rec. live by Martin Davidson, ICA Theatre, Nash House, London, Thurs February 28th, 1974.

 

 Search and reflect (Stevens)             1348

 

add Steve Lacy (ss)

 

 Torments (Lacy)/Ghost (Stevens)    1923 total

 

15ips st. master: NSA C577/33 (H7204). The concert was billed with the above heading. Another title recorded by the band on this date (The wire) no longer exists. It was reviewed by Brian Case in Into Jazz 4/74 p2. Steve Lacy also played a solo set.

 

John Stevens hospitalized

MM 16/3/74 p10 & Into Jazz 4/74 p4 report an accident in which John fell and fractured his kneecap. The kneecap had to be removed and he spent several weeks recovering in Lewisham Hospital, but is again playing with Amalgam (Watts/Parker/Clyne/Stevens) at the ICA on 31/3/74. Concert review by Val Wilmer; Melody Maker, Aug 10th 1974.

 

Splinters Scottish University Concert broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (tp), Peter King (as), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Stan Tracey (p), Danny Thompson (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. live at Reed Concert Hall, Univ. of Edinburgh, May 9th, 1974; tr: BBC Radio 3, Scottish University Concert, March 26th, 1975. 

 

  [part of] untitled imp.     66 mins only (approx) broadcast    

 

NSA 7.5ips st. offair rec: T951BW

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

John Stevens Dance Orchestra Jazz in Britain broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (fh/tp?), Trevor Watts (as/ss?), Ray Warleigh (as/fl?), Mike Pyne (p), Lindsay Cooper (b?), Danny Thompson (b), Jeff Clyne (b), John Stevens (d), Terri Quaye (perc). Rec. by BBC Radio, Aeolian Hall, London, June 5th, 1974; tr: BBC Radio 3, Jazz in Britain, Mon June 24th, 1974.

 

 Its gonna be alright (Stevens)     2735

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

John Stevens Dance Orchestra Phoenix concert

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Henry Lowther (tp/fh), Paul Rutherford (tb), Chris Pyne (tb), Ray Warleigh (as/fl), Trevor Watts (as/ss), Mike Pyne (elp), Lindsay Cooper (b), John Stevens (d), Terri Quaye (congas). Rec. live by Herman Hauge at the Phoenix, Cavendish Square, London, July 31st, 1974.

 

 When is now! (Stevens)             4036           

 

7.5ips st. copy: NSA C577/127. Other recordings from this concert are known to exist in a private collection (titles unknown).

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam music from The Connection

Trevor Watts (sax), Keith Tippett (p), Kent Carter (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. by Martin Davidson in a makeshift studio, London, October 12th, 1974.

 

 unknown titles (Watts/poss. Stevens)          Emanem (Am) unissued

 

Watts out

 

 Rambunctious*      approx. 300                                          

 

These were pieces the group had been playing during a monthlong (approx.) engagement at a Hampstead Theatre, providing live musical accompaniment to a theatre production of The Connection. *This title was subsequently used for a couple of SME improvisations from Oct 18th,  1973 but there is no link with this piece. Tapes survive.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dudu Pukwana and Spear Flute Music

Mongezi Feza (tp/fl/perc/voc), Dudu Pukwana (as/p/perc/voc), Victor Williams (p/elp/voc), Pete Cowling (bg), John Stevens (d), Bob (cga), The Princess (voc). Rec. by Simon Heyworth, Manor Studio, London, October 14-15th & November 30th, 1974.

 

 Flute music (Feza)                     Caroline CA 2005 (lp)

 Shekele (Pukwana)                   

 Ko-didi (Victor Williams)                            

 Sondela (Feza)                                            

 Freeze (Pukwana)                                       

 You cheated me (Feza)                               

 Flute music (Feza)                                      

 

Reviewed by Chris May in Black Music 7/75. John met bass guitarist Pete Cowling for the first time at this session, leading to the formation of Away the following year.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amalgam Innovation

Trevor Watts (as), Keith Tippett (p), Kent Carter (b), Lindsay Cooper (b), John Stevens (d), Terri Quaye (congas). Rec. at Chipping Norton Studios, Oxfordshire, November 12th, 1974.

 

 Staggering (Stevens)                  Tangent TGS 121 (lp)

 When is now (Stevens)                               

 Hello (Stevens)                                            

 Suzie Jay (Watts)                            Tangent TGS 121 (lp)

 Austrian roll (Stevens)                                

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stan Tracey Octet Jazz Club broadcast

Kenny Wheeler (tp/fh), Malcolm Griffiths (tb), Trevor Watts (as), Alan Skidmore (ts/ss), Don Weller (ts), Stan Tracey (p), Harry Miller (b), John Stevens (d). Rec. BBC Radio studio, London, October 29th, 1974; tr: BBC Radio 2, Jazz Club, Nov 17th, 1974.

 

 Spectrum no. 3                              823

 Spectrum no. 2                            1318

 Spectrum no. 1                              505