Carla Bley *1936 +2023

[Tenor Freak]

Just seen on Mark Stryker's Twitter feed that composer, bandleader and pianist Carla Bley has passed on. This has been confirmed by the NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/a...bley-dead.html

And her Wikipedia page is already written in the past tense.

RIP to one of the greats. My condolences to her Steve Swallow and the rest of her family.

[Joseph K]

RIP

[Serial_Apologist]

I just received the news from another site. Doesn't seem quite the time (or day) for anecdotes.

[BLUESNIK'S REVOX]

RIP Carla, admired her equally for her attitude and humour as for the music.

One I recently discovered appropriately, "Life goes on" from 2020, the trio with her, SS and AS, a slow blues, subtle and knowing.

http://youtu.be/ElLEU9ry2-8?feature=shared

[Jazzrook]

Sad news. RIP
My favourite Carla Bley composition, 'Ida Lupino' with Paul Bley, John Gilmore, Gary Peacock & Paul Motian in 1964 from 'Turning Point':

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=tsbDIX8VSkk

JR

[Tenor Freak]

A few years ago I was given a copy of Escalator Over The Hill on vinyl. I haven't played it yet. Think I will put it on the turntable this weekend. I have sent a request to Alyn for the commemorative JRR on 5 November.

[Dave2002]

I didn't realise she was that old. I'm pretty sure I heard her at the RFH around 20 or more years ago - though not sure of the date. Maybe she came over here quite often.

Could have been this one - though I'm not sure it was -

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/1999/nov/23/artsfeatures5

[Alyn_Shipton]

Carla was a great individual and it was a privilege to work with her in R3 on a number of broadcasts. Especially this one: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mrx6x

[Serial_Apologist]

Carla was a great individual and it was a privilege to work with her in R3 on a number of broadcasts. Especially this one: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mrx6x

Wow - thanks for digging this one out, Alyn.

[Tenor Freak]

Carla was a great individual and it was a privilege to work with her in R3 on a number of broadcasts. Especially this one: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mrx6x

Thanks for the link Alyn. Now downloaded. Nice to see that there still are nuggets like this buried in the BBC website.

[Jazzrook]

Carla Bley obituary by Ben Beaumont-Thomas:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/oct/18/carla-bley-dead-aged-87-jazz-pianist-composer-dies

JR

[Tenor Freak]

I am disappointed that WKCR is not broadcasting a memorial for Carla.

So I am playing this Spotify playlist instead (not mine BTW): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/77...6WDJJYIeHMpZwo

[Padraig]

This is the sound that I think of on hearing about Carla Bley. Her band was often on JRR on Saturdays in olden times when I was a fan.I loved this number and this gospel sound.

Gary Valente trombone with Carla Bley Hallelujah the Lord is listening to yah! - YouTube

[Serial_Apologist]

This is the sound that I think of on hearing about Carla Bley. Her band was often on JRR on Saturdays in olden times when I was a fan.I loved this number and this gospel sound.

Gary Valente trombone with Carla Bley Hallelujah the Lord is listening to yah! - YouTube

I've always thought of that tune as a resounding celebration of Carla Bley's ambivalence towards spirituals and religious fervour. As far as I know Carla was no religious person.

[Old Grumpy]

I've always thought of that tune as a resounding celebration of Carla Bley's ambivalence towards spirituals and religious fervour. As far as I know Carla was no religious person.

Perhaps not, but she knew a good tune!

Spookily, I was relistening to the CBBB Goes to Church album just last week...