(October 28, 2019) We are sad to report the death of singer, songwriter and guitarist, Vanessa Bley, in a tragic California auto accident. The daughter of late jazz pianist Paul Bley and pioneer video artist Carol Goss, Bley was best known as front woman for haze-pop band Beast Patrol, noted Band to Watch by Rolling Stone, and the jazz-noir group Twin Danger, described as "The Sound Of Frank Sinatra Meets The Clash" by NPR. Bley, 34, and two children were killed after being struck by a vehicle that crossed over the double yellow lines near Cold Spring Bridge near Santa Barbara.
(October 28, 2019) We are sad to report the death of singer, songwriter and guitarist, Vanessa Bley, in a tragic California auto accident. The daughter of late jazz pianist Paul Bley and pioneer video artist Carol Goss, Bley was best known as front woman for haze-pop band Beast Patrol, noted Band to Watch by Rolling Stone, and the jazz-noir group Twin Danger, described as "The Sound Of Frank Sinatra Meets The Clash" by NPR. Bley, 34, and two children were killed after being struck by a vehicle that crossed over the double yellow lines near Cold Spring Bridge near Santa Barbara.
Bley co-wrote and produced Twin Danger's self-titled debut album with the co-founder of Sade, saxophonist and guitarist Stuart Matthewman. The album, released by Decca / Universal Classics, went to #1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart and received four stars from Downbeat, leading to an interview on NPR’s All Things Considered and shows around the world including Billboard Live, Tokyo.
In addition to her two bands and solo records, Bley scores film and art installations, including a recent multi-sensorial perfume installation for International Flavors & Fragrances and Sony Arcade as well as the audio score for the film Eyes of the Moon, which debuted at the Marfa Film Festival.
Most recently, Bley completed a psych-rock solo record entitled, "Life & Death," inspired by the passing of her father and the move from New York City after 14 years, to Los Angeles. Her first single, "Sunset Hangover" premiered in November. The full album, released August 3, 2017, topped American Alternative and college radio charts. In 2017, Bley recorded her first album of improvised solo piano music.
We send our deepest condolences to Vanessa's husband, Max Gleason.
Some content courtesy of vanessabley.com