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.Carla Bley discography accessed August 9, 2010
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".Yanow, S. [ AllMusic Review] accessed August 9, 2010 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".
Track listing All compositions by Carla Bley except as indicated "On the Stage in Cages" - 12:39 "Birds of Paradise" - 20:21 "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" (Charles Mingus) - 8:38 "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
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