History
Spontaneous Music Ensemble
The Spontaneous Music Ensemble (SME) was a flexible collective of free improvising musicians formed in the mid-1960s. Spearheaded by South London-based drummer and trumpeter John Stevens and alto and soprano saxophonist Trevor Watts, the ensemble provided a platform for spontaneous musical creation.
Evolution of the Ensemble
SME performances varied significantly in scale, from intimate duets featuring Stevens and Watts to larger gatherings involving over a dozen musicians. The group's history can be broadly divided into two distinct phases. The earlier period was characterized by ensembles with a strong emphasis on horns, often featuring Watts alongside musicians such as Evan Parker and Kenny Wheeler. The later phase saw a shift towards string-based ensembles, with guitarist Roger Smith becoming a central figure, akin to Watts's role in the initial iteration. Violinist Nigel Coombes was also a key member during this period. The quartet album Biosystem (Incus, 1977), which included cellist Colin Wood, marks a transitional point between these two eras.
Notable Collaborations
Over the years, a diverse array of musicians contributed to the SME's evolving sound. Notable figures who passed through the ensemble include Derek Bailey, Paul Rutherford, Maggie Nichols, Dave Holland, Barry Guy, Peter Kowald, and Kent Carter. The final configuration of the group was a trio comprising John Stevens, Roger Smith, and saxophonist John Butcher. This iteration was documented on the 1994 album A New Distance.
Discography
