Carla Bley conducts Orchestra Jazz de Matosinhos again, in Porto, seven years after participating in “Festival em Obra Aberta”, that proceeded the opening of Casa da Música. The return to Porto of one of the most charismatic composers and big band directors brings also the bassist Steve Swallow, musician with which she cultivates a collaboration that lasts for twenty years now. Carla Bley’s relevance within the international jazz panorama has granted her countless awards and the constant applause from the critic, to which a warm relationship with the audience is added.

Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos presents a selective programme under the musical direction of Carla Bley.

A night devoted to Jazz at the Festival em Obra Aberta, with the North-American pianist and composer Carla Bley and two renowned soloists: the bassist Steve Swallow, versatile musician and composer, loyal collaborator of Bley since 1978, and Gary Valente, multi-awarded trombone player and strictly connected to the Big Jazz Band way.

Carla Bley is one of the most remarkable and unusual jazz composers worldwide. The North-American has left a ballast of geniality, whether as a pianist, orchestrator, orchestra director or author of works that are already part of the history of jazz, such as Big Band Theory or The Carla Bley Big Band Goes to Church.