Barry Guy
b. 22 April 1947, London, England. Even before he had completed his double-bass and composition studies at the Guildhall School of Music, Guy had earned a formidable reputation as a performer in jazz, improvised music and classical music. He was a member of the Howard Riley trio from 1967-70 and, also in the mid-60s, spent some time with John Stevens's Spontaneous Music Ensemble. He was a founder member of the Musicians’ Co-Operative, for which he composed ODE for a 21-piece orchestra, that, as the London Jazz Composers’ Orchestra, became a long-term project. It is still in existence today, although working more in continental Europe than in the UK. As well as being an accomplished composer, Guy is a virtuoso performer, with a stunning command of the bass through the whole range of conventional and unorthodox techniques. He is as much in demand for classical and contemporary orchestral work as for jazz gigs, and has worked in many contexts, including with Tony Oxley, Evan Parker, Mike Westbrook, Peter Kowald, Trevor Watts, Bob Downes, Dave Holdsworth, Chris McGregor and, outside jazz, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Sinfonietta, the Monteverdi Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music, Capricorn, the Richard Hickox Orchestra (later renamed the City of London Sinfonia) and in a duo with soprano Jane Manning. He has also been a member of the Michael Nyman Band, appearing on the soundtrack of THE DRAUGHTSMAN'S CONTRACT (1982). The selection of albums listed below omits Guy's classical work.