Big Band Theory Explained

Big Band Theory
Type:	Album
Artist:	Carla Bley
Cover:	Big Band Theory.jpg
Released:	1993
Recorded:	July 2 & 3, 1993
Genre:	Jazz
Length:	49:09
Label:	Watt/ECM
Producer:	Carla Bley
Chronology:	Carla Bley
Prev Title:	Go Together
Prev Year:	1992
Next Title:	Songs with Legs
Next Year:	1994

Big Band Theory is an album by the American composer, bandleader and keyboardist Carla Bley, recorded and released on the Watt/ECM label in 1993.^[1]

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated that "overall this set (which is enjoyable enough) is less memorable than one would expect from Carla Bley".^[2] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded it 3 stars, stating: "This never quite fulfils the promise of some exciting arrangements and a rah of hot solists".^[3]

Track listing

All compositions by Carla Bley except as indicated

1. "On the Stage in Cages" - 12:39
2. "Birds of Paradise" - 20:21
3. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (Charles Mingus) - 8:38
4. "Fresh Impression" - 7:39

• Recorded at Angel Recording Studios, London on July 2 & 3, 1993.

Personnel

• Carla Bley - piano
  • Alex Balanescu - violin Lew Soloff, Guy Barker, Claude Deppa, Steve Waterman - trumpet
  • Gary Valente, Richard Edwards, Annie Whitehead - trombone Ashley Slater - bass trombone
  • Roger Janotta - flute, soprano saxophone Wolfgang Puschnig - alto saxophone, flute
• Andy Sheppard - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
• Pete Hurt tenor saxophone
  • • • Julian Argüelles - baritone saxophone Karen Mantler - organ Steve Swallow - bass guitar Dennis Mackrel - drums

Notes and References

1. http://sudo.3.pro.tok2.com/Quest/cards/C/CarlaBley/index.html Carla Bley discography
2. Yanow, S. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r219784|pure_url=yes}} AllMusic Review] accessed August 9, 2010
3. Book: Cook, Richard. Richard Cook (journalist). Brian Morton . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. 1992. 9th. The Penguin Guide to Jazz. 2008. Penguin. New York. 978-0-14-103401-0. 130.