Carla Bley was a jazz composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader who was a pioneer of the free jazz movement in the 1960s. She composed and arranged innovative and eclectic works for various ensembles, ranging from duos to big bands. She also collaborated with many prominent jazz musicians, such as Charlie Haden, Gary Burton, and Steve Swallow. She died on October 17, 2023, at the age of 87, from complications of brain cancer. In this post, we will explore her age, bio, family, net worth, and more in detail.
Carla Bley Biography Profile
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Carla Bley |
| Date of Birth | 11 May 1936 |
| Birth Place | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Age (as of 2023) | 87 (deceased) |
| Gender | Female |
| Zodiac sign | Taurus |
| Profession | Jazz Composer, Pianist, Organist, Bandleader |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Home Town/State | Willow, New York, U.S. |
| College | University of California, Berkeley; Juilliard School |
| Educational Qualification | N/A |
| Religion | N/A |
| Hobbies | N/A |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Net Worth | N/A |
Early Life and Education:
Carla Bley was born in Oakland, California, in 1936. Her father was a piano teacher and a church choirmaster, who taught her the basics of music. She was mostly self-taught as a musician and did not receive formal training. She moved to New York City in 1955, where she worked as a cigarette girl and a part-time pianist at Birdland. She married pianist Paul Bley in 1957, who encouraged her to start composing. She also studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and at the Juilliard School.
Family Details:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Father Name | Emil Borg |
| Mother Name | Arline Anderson |
| Wife/Husband | Paul Bley (m. 1957; div. 1967); Michael Mantler (m. 1965; div. 1991); Steve Swallow (m. 1992) |
| Children | Karen Mantler (daughter) |
Career Highlight:
Carla Bley had a long and distinguished career as a jazz composer, pianist, organist, and bandleader. She was one of the pioneers of the free jazz movement in the 1960s and composed and arranged innovative and eclectic works for various ensembles, ranging from duos to big bands. She collaborated with many prominent jazz musicians, such as Charlie Haden, Gary Burton, Steve Lacy, and Peter Brotzmann. She also co-founded the Jazz Composers’ Orchestra Association and the Watt record label. She composed and recorded several acclaimed albums, such as Escalator Over the Hill, Tropic Appetites, Social Studies, The Carla Bley Big Band Goes to Church, Looking for America, and Life Goes On .
Carla Bley’s physical stats:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Height (Aprox.) | in centimeters- Unknown |
| Weight (Aprox.) | in Kilograms- Unknown |
| Body Type | Unknown |
| Figure Size | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Gray |
| Hair Length | Short |
| Shoe Size | Unknown |
Carla Bley Cause of Death:
According to the news reports, Carla Bley died at the age of 87 due to complications with brain cancer. She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018. She was a beloved and influential jazz pianist and composer who left behind a rich legacy of music.
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