Bley, Carla (1938–)

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Bley, Carla (1938–)

American composer. Born Carla Borg, May 11, 1938, in Oakland, California; m. Paul Bley (pianist); m. Michael Mantler (trumpeter, sep.); children: (2nd m.) Karen Mantler (musician).

Composer and band conductor who has experimented in numerous arenas, including free jazz, punk rock, and big band orchestras; formed Jazz Composers Orchestra with 1st husband (1964); with 2nd husband, founded JCOA (Jazz Composers Orchestra Association) Records (1966) and formed New Music Distribution Service, which handled independent labels, including their own Watt Records; received Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Big Band Album for Big Band Theory (1995). Other works include Escalator over the Hill (1972), Dinner Music (1978), European Tour 1977 (1977), Duets (1988), The Very Big Carla Bley Band (1991), Songs with Legs (1995), Are We There Yet? (1999) and Carla Bley 4 × 4 (2000).