Paul Bley
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Paul Bley is a free jazz pianist born in Montreal, Canada in 1932 and long resident in the USA. His music characteristically features strong senses both of melodic voicing and space.
As well as being a distinctive and innovative musician himself, he has worked with a number of important musicians at key points.
In 1957, he played with Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman in California.
In the early 1960s he was part of The Jimmy Giuffre 3, a drummerless clarinet, piano and bass trio with bassist Steve Swallow. The quiet understatement of this music makes it possible to overlook its degree of innovation. As well as a repertoire introducing compositions by Carla Bley, the group’s music moved towards free improvisation based on close empathy.
In 1964 Bley was instrumental in the formation of the Jazz Composers Guild - a co-operative organisation which brought together many of the most radical musicians in New York.
Bley had long been interested in expanding the palette of his music using unconventional sounds (such as playing directly on the piano-strings). It was therefore consistent that he took an interest in new electronic possibilities appearing in the late 1960s. He pioneered the use of Moog synthesizers, performing with them before a live audience for the first time.
As well as being a distinctive and innovative musician himself, he has worked with a number of important musicians at key points.
In 1957, he played with Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman in California.
In the early 1960s he was part of The Jimmy Giuffre 3, a drummerless clarinet, piano and bass trio with bassist Steve Swallow. The quiet understatement of this music makes it possible to overlook its degree of innovation. As well as a repertoire introducing compositions by Carla Bley, the group’s music moved towards free improvisation based on close empathy.
In 1964 Bley was instrumental in the formation of the Jazz Composers Guild - a co-operative organisation which brought together many of the most radical musicians in New York.
Bley had long been interested in expanding the palette of his music using unconventional sounds (such as playing directly on the piano-strings). It was therefore consistent that he took an interest in new electronic possibilities appearing in the late 1960s. He pioneered the use of Moog synthesizers, performing with them before a live audience for the first time.
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Open, To Love
Paul Bley
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Early Trios
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One Year After
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With Gary Peacock
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ecouterAVECbleu Big silence
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kaly_ Happy Birthday !!!
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booklifter ida lupino!
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ebovaguira rostro
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brianallensimon big inspiration
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Chiaroscurist The concert in Philly last year was tops... even though the old dude can barely walk. To quote the maestro during his warm-up: "I told you to get me a piano! This isn't a piano!" Evidently, the instrument provided for him was most unsatisfactory. ;-)
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lollypiehi Great music and I like your solo and improv. Lolly Arnold from Hawaii
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In_Consonance Carla Bley > this dude
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