Flotation Device 2023-10-29 - Carla Bley & Mat Maneri

Flotation Device pays tribute to the late Carla Bley with a retrospective of her most exploratory works, including the jazz opera Escalator over the Hill (whose contributors range from Don Cherry and Charlie Haden to Jack Bruce and Linda Ronstadt).

We also interview Mat Maneri, one of the very few prominent improvisers to make the viola his primary instrument. Topics include his recent Ash and Dust albums, music of loss and the fragility of memory, and his recent appearance at Earshot Jazz Festival.

An exploration of the intrinsic nature of Matthew Shipp’s new solo album, and a look back to the simultaneous October 1973 unveilings of Takemitsu’s only work for gagaku orchestra, Shostakovich’s only setting of Marina Tsvetayeva, and Frank Zappa’s legendary Roxy band, round out the program. Creative and improvised music from the Northwest and around the world with host Michael Schell. Originally aired October 29, 2023.

Annotated playlist and photo credits with Comments.