RIP Carla Bley

[Canard]

The eclectic, eccentric and frequently brilliant Jazz pianist/composer, Carla Bley, has died at the ripe old age of 87.

She was the ex-wife of legendary Jazz pianist, Paul Bley. She eclipsed Paul as a composer if not as an instrumentalist.

While 87 is a good age, the event is still sad.

Carla Bley, imaginative jazz pianist and composer, dies aged 87

Musician’s work spanned the mainstream and avant-garde, including in fusions with the world of rock

www.theguardian.com

With the impeccable, Steve Swallow, her long time collaborator.

 

[Canard]

She was also a member of a very short-lived Jack Bruce band with Mick Taylor.







Her first major large scale work of note was Escalator over the Hill, released in 1971 but a few years in the recording.

 

[Ross]

I have 3-4 of Carla's LPs. My first purchase was Social Studies. The first listen had me scratching my head, the second had me listening carefully, and later playings always made me laugh at the band's quirky changes. The cut "Reactionary Tango" is a masterpiece of subtle humour.
A truly brilliant composer! RIP.