The Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu

Album Description

"The Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu" is a captivating jazz album by Carla Bley, released in 2007 under the Watt/ECM label. This record is a testament to Bley's unique compositional style and her ability to blend free jazz with more traditional jazz elements, creating a sound that is both innovative and accessible. The album features Bley on piano, accompanied by Andy Sheppard on saxophone, Steve Swallow on bass, Billy Drummond on drums, and special guest Paolo Fresu on trumpet. Recorded in Europe, the album showcases the musical synergy between these accomplished musicians, with each track offering a blend of improvisation and structured composition.

The album's standout feature is "The Banana Quintet," a six-part suite that highlights the collaborative spirit of the group. The suite, along with other tracks like "Death Of Superman / Dream Sequence#1 - Flying" and "Ad Infinitum," demonstrates Bley's knack for blending humor, blues, and jazz into a cohesive and engaging musical experience. The album's duration of 55 minutes allows for a deep dive into Bley's musical world, making it a rewarding listen for jazz enthusiasts and newcomers alike. "The Lost Chords Find Paolo Fresu" is a joyful exploration of jazz, showcasing Carla Bley's distinctive voice and her collaborators' exceptional musicianship.

26 oktober 2007

℗ 2007 WATT Works Inc./ECM Records GmbH, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin

About Carla Bley

Carla Bley, a titan of jazz composition and performance, left an indelible mark on the genre with her innovative and emotionally resonant work. Born in America, Bley was a pivotal figure in the free jazz movement of the 1960s, known for her bold avant-garde compositions and her ability to create music that was both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving. Her magnum opus, the jazz opera "Escalator over the Hill," showcased her unique vision and storytelling prowess. Throughout her career, Bley's compositions were performed by a who's who of jazz greats, including Gary Burton, John Scofield, and her ex-husband Paul Bley. A pioneer in independent record labels, Bley recorded over two dozen albums between 1966 and 2019, continually pushing the boundaries of jazz. Her Trio, active for over two decades, was her primary vehicle for musical expression in her later years. Bley's wit and individualism were as legendary as her music, earning her the nickname "Countess Bleysie" among fellow musicians. Her passing in 2023 marked the end of an era, but her influential body of work continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.