picture of Carla Bley
Carla Bley
Carla Bley was born in 1938. Her father, a church musician, gave her the first lessons of music. At the early age of 17, Carla went to New York where she worked as a pianist and composer. She married Paul Bley for whom she created compositions, too. Later, in 1964, Carla formed the Jazz Composers Guild Orchestra, together with her second husband Michael Mantler.
 
Her first recording to achieve a wider recognition was "A Genuine Tong Funeral" with the Gary Burton Quartet (1967). She continued her compositional works with arrangements for Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra (1969) and the composition "Escalator over the Hill" (1971), which led her on the road to success.
 
In the 70's and 80's, Carla had her own groups of six and ten musicians with whom she toured through the USA and Europe. Carla died in 2023.
contact:
homepage: www.wattxtrawatt.com

 

Discography [30]
Jazz Realities
Fontana 881 010 ZY
released 1966
recorded January 1966 in Baarn/The Netherlands
Carla Bley, piano, organ
Steve Lacy, soprano sax
Mike Mantler, trumpet
Kent Carter, bass
Aldo Romano, drums
A Genuine Tong Funeral
RCA Victor LSP-3988
released 1968
recorded July 1967 in New York City/USA
Gary Burton, vibes
Carla Bley, organ, piano, conductor
Larry Coryell, guitar
Steve Swallow, bass
Lonesome Dragon, drums
Steve Lacy, soprano sax
Mike Mantler, trumpet
Leandro 'Gato' Barbieri, tenor sax
Jimmy Knepper, trombone, bass trombone
Howard Johnson, tuba, baritone sax
Escalator Over The Hill
JCOA-3LP-EOTH
released 1971
recorded November 1968, November 1970, March 1971, June 1971 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organs, piano, celeste, chimes, composition
Roswell Rudd, trombone
Perry Robinson, clarinet
Gato Barbieri, tenor sax
Charlie Haden, bass
Michael Mantler, ring modulated piano, percussion
Don Preston, synthesizer
John McLaughlin, guitar
Jack Bruce, bass
Paul Motian, drums
The Carla Bley Orchestra
Tropic Appetites
Watt/1
released 1974
recorded September 1973/February 1974 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, voice, recorders, piano, clavinet, organ, marimba, celeste, percussion
Julie Tippetts, voice
Gato Barbieri, tenor sax, percussion
Howard Johnson, voice, clarinet, bass clarinet, soprano sax, baritone sax, bass sax, tubas
Dave Holland, cello, basses
Michael Mantler, trumpet, valve trombone
Toni Marcus, violin, viola
Paul Motian, drums, percussion
No Answer
Watt/2
released 1974
recorded February/July 1973 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, piano, clavinet, organs
Jack Bruce, voices, guitar
Don Cherry, trumpet
music by Michael Mantler
words by Samuel Beckett
Silence
Watt/5
released 1977
recorded January 1976 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, piano, voice, organ
Robert Wyatt, voice, percussion
Kevon Coyne, voice
Chris Spedding, guitar
Ron McClure, basses
Clare Maher, cello
music by Michael Mantler
Dinner Music
Watt/6
released 1977
recorded January 1976 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, piano, vocal, organ, tenor sax
Roswell Rudd, trombone
Carlos Ward, alto sax, tenor sax, flute
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Bob Stewart, tuba
Richard Tee, piano
Eric Gale, guitar
Cornell Dupree, guitar
Gordon Edwards, bass guitar
Steve Gadd, drums
Movies
Watt/7
released 1978
recorded November 1977 in New York/USA
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Larry Coryell, guitar
Carla Bley, piano, synthesizer, tenor sax
Steve Swallow, bass
Tony Williams, drums
European Tour 1977
Watt/8
released 1978
recorded September 1977 in München/Germany
Carla Bley, organ, tenor sax
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Elton Dean, alto sax
Gary Windo, tenor sax
John Clark, French horn, guitar
Roswell Rudd, trombone
Bob Stewart, tuba
Terry Adams, piano
Hugh Hopper, bass guitar
Andrew Cyrilee, drums
Musique Mecanique
Watt/9
released 1979
recorded August/November 1978 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Alan Braufman, alto sax, clarinet, flute
Gary Windo, tenor sax, bass clarinet
John Clark, French horn
Roswell Rudd, trombone
Bob Stewart, tuba
Terry Adams, piano, electric pump organ
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums
Charlie Haden, bass
Eugene Chadbourne, guitars
Karen Mantler, glockenspiel
More Movies
Watt/10
released 1980
recorded August 1979/March 1980 in New York/USA
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Carla Bley, organ, piano
Philip Catherine, guitar
Gary Windo, tenor sax
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums
Social Studies
Watt/11
released 1981
recorded September/December 1980 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Carlos Ward, soprano sax, alto sax
Tony Dagradi, tenor sax, clarinet
Gary Valente, trombone
Joe Daley, euphonium
Earl McIntyre, tuba
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums
Live!
Watt/12
released 1982
recorded August 1981 in San Francisco/USA
Carla Bley, organ, glockenspiel, piano
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Steve Slagle, alto sax, soprano sax, flute
Tony Dagradi, tenor sax
Gary Valente, trombone
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Earl McIntyre, tuba, bass trombone
Arturo O'Farrill, piano, organ
Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums
I Hate To Sing
Watt/12½
released 1984
recorded January 1983 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ, glockenspiel
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Steve Slagle, soprano sax, alto sax, clarinet
Tony Dagradi, tenor sax
Gary Valente, trombone
Vincent Chancey, French horn
Bob Stewart, tuba
Earl McIntyre, tuba
Arturo O'Farrill, piano Steve Swallow, bass
D. Sharpe, drums
Heavy Heart
Watt/14
released 1984
recorded September/October 1983 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ, sythesizer
Steve Slagle, flute, alto sax, baritone sax
Hiram Bullock, guitar
Gary Valente, trombone
Kenny Kirkland, piano
Steve Swallow, bass
Victor Lewis, drums
Manolo Badrena, percussion
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Earl McIntyre, tuba
Night-glo
Watt/16
released 1985
recorded June/August 1985 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ, synthesizers
Steve Swallow, bass
Larry Willis, piano
Hiram Bullock, guitar
Victor Lewis, drums
Manolo Badrena, percussion
Paul McCandless, oboe, English horn, soprano sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, bass clarinet
Randy Brecker, trumpet, flugelhorn
John Clark, French horn
Tom Malone, trombone
David Taylor, bass trombone
Visions Of Excess
Celluloid Cell 6118
released 1985
recorded in New York City/USA
Michael Hampton, guitar
Jody Harris, guitar
Henry Kaiser, guitar
Arto Lindsay, guitar, vocals
Nicky Skopelitis, guitar
Chris Stamey, guitar, piano
Richard Thompson, guitar
Carla Bley, Hammond organ
Bernie Worrell, Hammond organ
Jack Bruce, harp, vocals
Bill Laswell, bass
Anton Fier, drums, percussion
John Lydon, vocals
Michael Stipe, vocals
Carla Bley Sextet
Watt/17
released 1987
recorded December 1986 and January 1987 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ
Hiram Bullock, uitar
Larry Willis, piano
Steve Swallow, bass
Victor Lewis, drums
Don Alias, percussion
Carla
XtraWatt/2
released 1987
recorded winter 1986/87 in New York/USA
Carla Bley, organ
Hiram Bullock, uitar
Larry Willis, piano
Steve Swallow, bass
Victor Lewis, drums
Don Alias, percussion
Drunk With Passion
Charisma 91745-2
released 1991
Bob Kidney, guitar, vocals
Bob Mould, guitar, vocals
Nicky Skopelitits, guitar
Richard Thompson, guitar
Carla Bley, Hammond organ
Amanda Kramer, keyboards, vocals
Bill Laswell, bass
Anton Fier, drums
Aïyb Dieng, percussion
Michael Stipe, vocals
Swallow
XtraWatt/6
released 1992
recorded September/November 1991 in New York/USA
Steve Swallow, bass
Steve Kuhn, piano
Carla Bley, organ
Karen Mantler, sythesizer, harmonica
Hiram Bullock, guitar
Robby Amen, drums
Don Alias, percussion
Gary Burton, vibes
John Scofield, guitar
Songs With Legs
Watt/26
recorded live May 1994 on tour in France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Turkey and Great Britain
Carla Bley, piano, organ
Andy Sheppard, soprano sax, tenor sax
Steve Swallow, bass
Live On The Old Grey Whistle Test
Strange Fruit WHIS CD 010
Jack Bruce, piano, bass, vocals
Dave "Clem" Clempson, guitar, bass, vocals
David Sancious, guitar, keyboards
Mick Taylor, guitar
Carla Bley, Hammond organ, synthesizer
Ronnie Leahy, piano, synthesizer
Billy Cobham, drums
Bruce Gary, drums
Nude Bass Ascending...
Intuition Records INT 3192-2
recorded May 1996 through April 1997
Glen Moore, piano, bass
Rabih Abou Khalil, oud
Carla Bley, Hammond organ
Steve Swallow, bass
Arto Tunçboyaciyan, percussion, vocals
Birds Of Paradise
supplement to the magazine "Musica Jazz" Magazine (Italy) no. 5/2000

Carla Bley, organ
no further details known
Live '75
Polydor 065 607-2
recorded live 01 June 1975 at The Free Trade Hall in Manchester/Great Britain
Jack Bruce, guitar, piano, vocals
Mick Taylor, guitar
Carla Bley, organ, piano, clavinet, mellotron
Ronnie Leahy, piano, synthesizer
Bruce Gary, drums
Pete Brown, words
Selected Recordings
ECM Records :rarum XV
compilation, recorded 1961 - 1999
Carla Bley, piano, organ
Steve Swallow, bass
various artists
Review
ECM 1813
compilation, recorded 1968-2000
Michael Mantler, trumpet
Radio Symphony Orchestra Frankfurt c/ by Peter Rundel
The Danish Radio Big Band c/ by Ole Kock Hansen
The Danish Concert Radio Orchestra c/ by Peder Kragerup
Strings of the London Symphony Orchestra c/ by Michael Gibbs
Jazz Composer's Orchestra
Carla Bley, tenor sax, organ, piano, synthesizer
Pharoah Sanders, tenor sax
Gary Windo, tenor sax
Vincent Nilsson, trombone
Don Cherry, trumpet
Roger Jannotta, flute, oboe, clarinet
Martin Cholewa, French horn
Philip Catherine, guitar
Larry Coryell, guitar
Rick Fenn, guitar
Bjarne Roupé, guitar
Terje Rypdal, guitar
Chris Spedding, guitar
Mike Stern, guitar
John Greaves, piano, vocals
Susi Hyldgaard, accordion
Kim Kristensen, piano, synthesizer
Per Salo, piano
Dave Adams, vibes, chimes
Tineke Noordhoek, vibes, marimba
Ron McClure, bass
Steve Swallow, bass
Jack DeJohnette, drums, percussion
Nick Mason, drums
Tony Williams, drums
Robert Wyatt, percussion, voice
Jack Bruce, vocals
Kevin Coyne, voice
Marianne Faithfull, voice
Per Jørgensen, vocals
Mona Larsen, vocals
Karen Mantler, vocals
Don Preston, vocals
The Essential John McLaughlin
Legacy 88697 06831 28
compilation, recorded June 1963 to 2006

John McLaughlin, guitar, banjo
London Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
David Liebman, soprano sax, flute
Ada Rovatti, soprano sax
Graham Bond, alto sax
Joe Farrell, tenor sax
Per Carsten, sax
Bent Jaedig, sax
Uffe Karskov, sax
Flemming Madsen, sax
Jesper Thilo, sax
Jens Engel, trombone
Ture Larsen, trombone
Vincent Nilsson, trombone
Ole Kurt Jensen, bass trombone
Axel Windfeld, bass trombone, tuba
Palle Bolvig, trumpet, flugelhorn
Miles Davis, trumpet
Perry Knudsen, trumpet, flugelhorn
Palle Mikkelborg, trumpet, flugelhorn
Benny Rosenfeld, trumpet, flugelhorn
Idrees Sulieman, trumpet, flugelhorn
Jens Winther, trumpet, flugelhorn
Niels Eje, cor Anglais, oboe
Paco de Lucía, guitar
Al di Meola, guitar
Bjarne Roupé, guitar
Carlos Santana, guitar
Carla Bley, organ
Thomas Clause, keyboards
Chick Corea, piano, synthesizer
Stu Goldberg, keyboards
Jan Hammer, keyboards, drums
Herbie Hancock, organ
Ole Kock Hansen, keyboards
Gary Husband, keyboards
Kenneth Knudsen, keyboards
Katia Labèque, piano
Gayle Moran, keyboards
Larry Young, organ
Jerry Goodman, violin
Lakshminarayana, violin
Jean-Luc Ponty, violin
Lillian Thornquist, harp
Ralphe Armstrong, bass
Jack Bruce, bass
Stanley Clarke, bass
Tony Grey, bass
Charlie Haden, bass
Michael Henderson, bass
Dave Holland, bass
Rick Laird, bass
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass
Jaco Pastorius, bass
Dominique di Piazza, bass
Doug Rauch, bass
Billy Rich, bass
Fernando Saunders, bass
Bo Stief, bass
Don Alias, drums
Ginger Baker, drums
Dennis Chambers, drums
Billy Cobhamm, drums
Jack DeJohnette, drums
Lennart Gruvstedt, drums
Buddy Miles, drums
Paul Motian, drums
Michael Shrieve, drums
Tony Smith, drums
Narada Michael Walden, drums
Vince Wilburn jr., drums
Tony Williams, drums
Trilok Gurtu, percussion
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Alyrio Lima, percussion
Mahalakshmi, tamboura
Marilyn Mazur, percussion
Airto Moreira, percussion
Badal Roy, tabla
Vikku Vinayakram, percussion
Ethan Weisgaard, percussion
Into The Woodwork
XtraWATT/13
recorded November 2011 in Pernes-les-Fontaines/France
Steve Swallow, bass
Chris Cheek, tenor sax
Steve Cardenas, guitar
Carla Bley, organ
Jorge Rossy, drums

 
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