Funding for the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program NEA Jazz Master interview was provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. CARLA BLEY NEA Jazz Master (2015) Interviewee: Carla Bley (May 11, 1936 - ) Interviewer: Ken Kimery Date: September 9, 2014 Repository: Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution Description: Transcript, 60 pp. Ken Kimery: My name is Ken Kimery. I’m here in wonderful Willow, New York. Blue sky; wonderfully clear air, with Carla Bley. Carla Bley, composer, bandleader, pianist, organist? Umm, doctorate? Umm, raconteur, vocalist, umm, guess I’ve heard you sing. Carla Bley: You have? When was that? Kimery: Well there’s a couple of recordings that I’ve heard you sing on, so... Bley: Oh my god! Kimery: Umm… Bley: Gotta have those destroyed! Kimery: [Laughter] And, uhh, 2015, coming up 2015, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. Bley: Isn’t that amazing? Kimery: Thank you very much for allowing me to invade your home here in wonderful Willow, New York, and for the next couple of hours to sit down with you and have you share with us your life story. For additional information contact the Archives Center at 202.633.3270 or
[email protected] Page | 1 Bley: Okay. Kimery: If we can start, if you could give us your full name, and if you don’t mind your birth date, birth year. Bley: Mhmm Kimery: And where you were born. Bley: Well, my full name is not the name I was born with. My real name that I was born with is, oh my god, I think I can say it.