Barry Guy
Britain's Barry Guy is a highly regarded bassist and composer known for his work in avant-garde jazz. Classically trained, Guy is both a skilled craftsman and gifted soloist, whose music straddles the line between free-form improvisation and contemporary classical composition. Along with teaching at London's Guildhall School of Music, Guy has issued a prolific number of albums including 1972's Ode with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, 1984's Supersession with longtime associate Evan Parker, and 2016's The Blue Shroud.
Born in London in 1947, Guy first came to prominence in the '60s as a member of pianist Howard Riley's trio alongside drummer Tony Oxley, appearing on albums like 1967's Discussions, 1969's Angle, and 1971's Flight. In the early '70s, Guy formed the innovative London Jazz Composers Orchestra, a collection of like-minded artists that included such luminaries of the British avant-garde jazz scene as Evan Parker, Paul Lytton, Derek Bailey, Paul Rutherford, Karl Jenkins, and many more. The group debuted with a recording of Guy's long-form composition Ode in 1972. Also during this period, he appeared on albums with Riley, John Stevens, Bob Downes, and others.
Guy's second album with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Stringer, appeared in 1984. Harmos followed in 1989. The '80s also found him working regularly with fellow LJCO members saxophonist Parker and drummer Lytton. Together they released such albums as Pisa 1980: Improvisor's Symposium and 1986's Atlanta.
The '90s were a prolific decade for the bassist, who appeared on numerous albums with the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, including 1990's Double Trouble, 1991's Theoria, 1993's Portraits, and 1995's Double Trouble Two. He also delivered a handful of well-received solo efforts: 1991's Fizzles, 1993's After the Rain, 1995's Sensology (with Paul Plimley), and 1997's Gudira. His contributions to other artists' albums also increased, with appearances on albums by Cecil Taylor, Bill Dixon, Mario Schiano, and others.
Guy's output continued to increase over the next several years, showcasing more collaborations with Parker and Riley, as well as with pianist Marilyn Crispell, saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, pianist Sten Sandell, and others. In 2006, he reconvened the London Jazz Composers Orchestra for Dance for Human Folks. Also that year, he released the solo album Folio, followed a year later by Zafiro. In 2010, he paired with trumpeter Peter Evans on Scenes in the House of Music. Two years later, he joined Ian Whitcomb for Songs Without Words and in 2014 he collaborated with Fred Frith for Backscatter Bright Blue. In 2016, Guy appeared on several albums including Deep Memory with Crispell, as well as his own The Blue Shroud, featuring his Blue Shroud Band. He then paired with trumpeter Peter Evans for 2018's Syllogistic Moments.
© Matt Collar /TiVo
-
Music for David Mossman (Live at Vortex London)
Evan Parker, Barry Guy, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Feb 16, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Harmos
Barry Guy, London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Apr 1, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Endgame
Barry Guy, Howard Riley, John Stevens, Trevor Watts
Jazz - Released by ECM Records on Sep 1, 1979
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
So it Goes...
Free Jazz & Avant-Garde - Released by Maya Recordings on Nov 17, 2023
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Deep Memory
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Sep 16, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Acanthis
Maya Homburger, Barry Guy, Lucas Niggli
Chamber Music - Released by Maya Recordings on Nov 25, 2022
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
Ithaca
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Jan 1, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Ithaca
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Jan 1, 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Odyssey
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Nov 1, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sidereus Nuncius: The Starry Messenger
Free Jazz & Avant-Garde - Released by Maya Recordings on Oct 26, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Interaction
Ivo Perelman, Barry Guy, Ramón López
Jazz - Released by Ivo Perelman on Feb 20, 2024
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Deep Memory
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Sep 1, 2016
5 Sterne Fono Forum Jazz16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Guy: Folio
Barry Guy, Maya Homburger, Muriel Cantoreggi, Christoph Poppen, Münchener Kammerorchester
Classical - Released by ECM New Series on Nov 4, 2005
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Syllogistic Moments
Free Jazz & Avant-Garde - Released by Maya Recordings on Sep 10, 2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Radio Rondo / Schaffhausen Concert
Barry Guy, Irène Schweizer, London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Aug 1, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Odyssey
Barry Guy, Marilyn Crispell, Paul Lytton
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Nov 1, 2001
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brainforest
Jacques Demierre, Barry Guy, Lucas Niggli
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Apr 5, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Portraits
Barry Guy, London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Jan 1, 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Double Trouble Two
Barry Guy, London Jazz Composers Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Intakt Records on Jan 1, 1995
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Barry Guy: After the Rain
Barry Guy, City Of London Sinfonia, Richard Hickox
Classical - Released by NMC Recordings on Nov 1, 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo