Paul Bley
Performer
1932–2016. Canadian pianist in the Free Jazz / Avant-Garde tradition.
Paul Bley was a pioneering avant-garde and free jazz pianist known for his sparse, introspective style. Closely associated with Carla Bley and Ornette Coleman.
32 products
WHEN WILL THE BLUES LEAVE
ECM RECORDS
CD
$17.99
Jun 07, 2019
In 1999, a year after recording the splendid reunion album Not Two, Not One, Paul Bley's highly innovative trio with Gary Peacock and Paul Motian took to the road with concerts on both sides of the Atlantic. When Will The Blues Leave documents a terrific performance at the Aula Magna di Trevano in Switzerland. Included here, alongside the angular freebop Ornette Coleman title track, are Paul Bley's Mazatlan, brimming over with energy, Gary Peacock's evergreen Moor, Gershwin s tender 'I Loves You Porgy" and much more... All played with the subtlety of master improvisers, recasting the music in every moment.
OPEN TO LOVE (ECM LUMINESSENCE SERIES)
ECM RECORDS
Vinyl
$41.49
Mar 07, 2025
Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Paul Bley is one of the most influential pianists in the history of jazz. His touch instantly recognizable. Bley's career, which now spans seven decades, has continued to be a reference for successive generations of musicians. This is unsurprising, given that the Canadian pianist has worked with "more first-rate, wide-ranging, original musical minds than anyone but Miles," as DownBeat put it. Bley's work has influenced many of the pianists on ECM, as well as countless musicians in the wider world. One of the most influential recordings in the history of jazz piano, Paul Bley's solo album thoughtfully explores the compositions of Carla Bley and Annette Peacock.
RAMBLIN'
BYG
Vinyl
$32.49
Mar 28, 2025
Definitive remastered audiophile edition, restored from the original tapes. Deluxe gatefold sleeve featuring faithfully reproduced original artwork. Comes with an insert featuring exclusive notes by author and jazz specialist Kevin Le Gendre Relive the timeless brilliance of Paul Bley's 1966 Rome session where bold improvisation, groundbreaking composition and heartfelt tribute redefined the art of jazz trio. BYG Records and Charly Records present the reissue of Ramblin', the seminal jazz album by pianist Paul Bley, originally released in 1969 as part of the iconic Actuel series on BYG Records. This definitive remastered edition invites listeners to experience the unparalleled artistry of Paul Bley's groundbreaking 1966 Rome session in unprecedented clarity. Recorded at Studio RCA in the Eternal City on July 1, 1966, Ramblin' captures Paul Bley alongside the rhythm section of double bassist Mark Levinson and drummer Barry Altschul. Together, the trio carved out a bold statement in the evolving world of jazz. With roots that include collaborations with luminaries such as Charlie Mingus, Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Giuffre, and Albert Ayler, Paul Bley was a pioneer of improvisational interplay and unorthodox structures that continually pushed the boundaries of the genre. This session brims with vitality and innovation, featurioriginalng compositions such as the introspective 'Touching' and 'Albert's Love Theme', a heartfelt tribute to Albert Ayler. Carla Bley's tender and evocative 'Ida Lupino', written in honour of the trailblazing filmmaker, resonates with even greater poignancy following her passing in October 2023. Meanwhile, the album's title track, Ornette Coleman's exuberant 'Ramblin' showcases a joyous yet rebellious spirit emblematic of this groundbreaking trio.
RAMBLIN'
BYG
CD
$14.49
Mar 28, 2025
CD edition presented in a deluxe digi-sleeve that echoes the original LP's aesthetics, complete with a 16-page booklet and an inner printed wallet. Includes exclusive notes by author and jazz specialist Kevin Le Gendre. Relive the timeless brilliance of Paul Bley's 1966 Rome session where bold improvisation, groundbreaking composition and heartfelt tribute redefined the art of jazz trio. BYG Records and Charly Records present the reissue of Ramblin', the seminal jazz album by pianist Paul Bley, originally released in 1969 as part of the iconic Actuel series on BYG Records. This definitive remastered edition invites listeners to experience the unparalleled artistry of Paul Bley's groundbreaking 1966 Rome session in unprecedented clarity. Recorded at Studio RCA in the Eternal City on July 1, 1966, Ramblin' captures Paul Bley alongside the rhythm section of double bassist Mark Levinson and drummer Barry Altschul. Together, the trio carved out a bold statement in the evolving world of jazz. With roots that include collaborations with luminaries such as Charlie Mingus, Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Giuffre, and Albert Ayler, Paul Bley was a pioneer of improvisational interplay and unorthodox structures that continually pushed the boundaries of the genre. This session brims with vitality and innovation, featurioriginalng compositions such as the introspective 'Touching' and 'Albert's Love Theme', a heartfelt tribute to Albert Ayler. Carla Bley's tender and evocative 'Ida Lupino', written in honour of the trailblazing filmmaker, resonates with even greater poignancy following her passing in October 2023. Meanwhile, the album's title track, Ornette Coleman's exuberant 'Ramblin' showcases a joyous yet rebellious spirit emblematic of this groundbreaking trio.
Notes On Ornette
SteepleChase
Vinyl
$45.99
Jan 15, 2024
This 1998 recording of Paul Bley is here as 180g audiophile LP for the first time. It wholly dedicated to the music of Ornette Coleman, with whom Paul was the major participant of that exciting musical experimentation some 60 years ago.
“…here is an intriguing and most stimulating date that does full justice to the writing of Ornette while showcasing the vitality and virtuosity of the creative Paul Bley in full flow with two top notch companions with him all the way…” (Mark Gardner)
“…anyone who has ever enjoyed the pianist should seek out Notes on Ornette. Bley still enjoys throwing seemingly unrelated bits of improvised melody together, but here he often goes to the other extreme, spinning out lines that seem endless in which a few simple ideas continually transmogrify.” (Baker, D. – JazzTimes) 180g Audiophile Vinyl
Paul Plays Carla
SteepleChase
Vinyl
$45.99
May 15, 2023
One of the most original musicians of our time pianist Paul Bley passed away in 2016 at the age of 83. He left immeasurable influence on the generations of piano players behind him. He was married to Swedish-American pianist/composer Carla Bley in the 50s. Carla’s compositions occupied larger part of his repertoire then.
“ …(This CD) features ten pieces by Carla Bley, his former wife, that he has been playing for thirty years but he’s still finding new things in them. Some of these tunes are surprisingly frisky given Bley’s austere reputation…this is another 180g Audiophile Vinyl
Montmartre Live
SteepleChase
CD
$38.99
Nov 15, 1995
“ ...if you appreciate Bley’s quintessential lyricism and Lundgaard’s singing lines, this one and the other (Live Again SCCD 31230) are noteworthy albums...” (A.G., Compact, September 1989)
“...The Rapport between Bley and Lundgaard is perfect...” (Birger Jørgensen, Aarhuus Stiftstidende)
Previously issued on SCCD 31223 & SCCD 31230