大象传媒

Jazz composer Carla Bley forms the first of her big bands in the 70s.

With Donald Macleod and writer and jazz critic Kevin Le Gendre.

One of the most original voices in jazz, composer, arranger, performer and bandleader Carla Bley has been determinedly pursuing her own musical path for more than 60 years. Her back catalogue of some 50 plus recordings tell the story of a musician who's responded in her own unique style to all the current trends, from free and experimental jazz in the 60s and 70s to 80s soul, blues and R&B. In later decades, she's written for and created big bands recalling the musical landscapes of Count Basie and the Duke and in the last 20 years, she's refined a distilled, intimate style for smaller chamber ensembles, in particular performing in a trio with her life partner, bassist Steve Swallow and the British saxophonist Andy Sheppard. Little wonder then, her fellow musicians affectionately call Bley 'Countess Bleysie' and 'Bleythoven'. Featuring a selection of recordings suggested by Carla Bley, Donald Macleod and Kevin Le Gendre follow Bley's musical adventuring from her early days writing for Paul Bley and Gary Burton, to her latest album for the Carla Bley Trio, released in 2020.

Using a rhythm section and six horns, and recruiting some of the very best names in the business, Bley was able to experiment with the rich sounds and textures of a bigger ensemble. At the same time, she was reinforcing her artistic independence through the formation of the New Music Distribution Service.

Walking Batterie Woman
The Carla Bley Band
Carla Bley, organ
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Gary Valente, trombone
Carlos Ward, alto Saxophone, soprano saxophone
Tony Dagradi, tenor saxophone
Joe Daley, Euphonium
Earl McIntyre, tuba
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums

Dreams so Real
Gary Burton Quintet
Gary Burton, vibraphone
Mick Goodrick, guitar
Pat Metheny, electric 12-string guitar
Steve Swallow, bass
Bob Moses, drums

Blunt Object
The Carla Bley Band
Carla Bley, organ, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Steve Slagle, alto sax, soprano sax, flute
Tony Dagradi, tenor sax
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Gary Valente, trombone
Earl McIntyre, tuba, bass trombone
Steve Swallow, bass guitar
D. Sharpe, drums

Silent Spring
Gary Burton Quartet with orchestra
Larry Coryell, guitar
Lonesome Dragon, drums (Bob Moses)
Steve Swallow, bass
Gary Burton, vibraphone
Steve Lacy, sop sax
Leandro 鈥淕ato鈥� Barbieri, tenor sax
Jimmy Knepper, trombone
Mike Mantler, trumpet
Carla Bley, conductor

Reactionary Tango in 3 parts
The Carla Bley Band
Carlos Ward, alto, soprano sax
Carla Bley, organ, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Tony Dagradi, tenor saxophone, clarinet
Gary Valente, trombone
Joe Daley, euphonium
Earl McIntyre, tuba
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums

Song sung Long
The Carla Bley Band
Carla Bley, organ, glockenspiel, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Steve Slagle, alto sax, soprano sax, flute
Tony Dagradi, tenor sax
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Gary Valente, trombone
Earl McIntyre, tuba, bass trombone
Steve Swallow, bass guitar
D. Sharpe, drums

Producer: Johannah Smith