Jazz 825: Mandala play Carla Bley

MANDALA - a tribute to Carla Bley

Bley’s impish, blithe yet pointed approach to her craft meant she recorded right across the jazz spectrum, from straightforwardly lovely piano pieces (the likes of Lawns became standards and hits on streaming services) to stridently political big band works and an acclaimed 1973 triple-LP jazz-rock opera, Escalator Over the Hill, with a supporting cast including country-pop singer Linda Ronstadt, Cream bassist Jack Bruce and Manfred Mann’s Paul Jones. She performed regularly in the UK, in settings ranging from her brilliant trio with Steve Swallow and Andy Sheppard, to her Big and Very Big Bands. A unique character, in appearance and intellect, she is arguably the greatest jazz composer/arranger of the last 50 years. Mandala will play a variety of her compositions from different periods of her fantastically creative and productive life. NB we will be showing the film Carla Bley Live in Montreal at 12pm, before Mandala play at 2pm. Bring some sandwiches and enjoy a Carla day at the JCUK!

Zak Barrett – Saxophone Ted Porter – Trumpet Dave Jago- Trombone Tony Gooderham – Piano Geof Harris – Bass Trevor Taylor – Drums