American composer, pianist and bandleader Carla Bley has produced several outstanding works during the last 30 years, in particular Escalator over the Hill. In the first of six programmes, she talks to Alan Plater about her life and work, recalling her religious and musical background, her career move into New York nightclubs as a cigarette girl, and her early compositions for musicians like George Russell and Gary Burton , notably A
Genuine Tong Funeral for the latter, which first brought her public recognition.
Series producer Derek Drescher Repeated Thursday 10.15pm