Carla Bley: some memories

Today I learned of the death of Carla Bley, on 17th October from brain cancer, at the age of 87. One of the greatest composers, arrangers, pianists and all-round musicians of the last sixty or seventy years – and I don't just mean in terms of 'jazz' – she was a major figure in my … Continue reading Carla Bley: some memories

Terence Davies: A Remembrance

Less than a week ago, I learned that the filmmaker Terence Davies was seriously ill. This came as a shock; only a week previously had I led a discussion about Distant Voices, Still Lives with students at the London Film School. Seeing the film again had been a very pleasurable reminder of his particular cinematic … Continue reading Terence Davies: A Remembrance