Paul Bley

Paul Bley is a free jazz pianist born in Montreal in 1932 and long resident in the USA. His music characteristically features strong senses both of melodic voicing and space.

Related Topics:
Free jazz - Pianist - Montreal - 1932 - USA

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As well as being a distinctive and innovative musician himself, he has worked with a number of important musicians at key points.

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In 1957, he played with Don Cherry and Ornette Coleman in California.

Related Topics:
1957 - Don Cherry - Ornette Coleman - California

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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.

Related Topics:
Jimmy Giuffre - Steve Swallow - Carla Bley - Free improvisation

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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.

Related Topics:
1964 - Jazz Composers Guild - New York

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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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This led into a period of the Bley-Peacock Synthesizer Show, a group where he worked with songwriter Annette Peacock on bass and vocals.

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Subsequently Bley returned to a predominant focus on the piano itself.

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During the 1970s, Bley was responsible for an important multi-media initiative, Improvising Arts Inc which issued important LPs documenting the early group with Ornette Coleman as well as solo piano recordings by Sun Ra and videos.

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Bley was an important influence on Keith Jarrett.

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