NEXT STOP: NEW YORK CITY [:59] RUFFIN: Now, A JAZZ MOMENT  Composer and 2015 NEA Jazz Master Carla Bley was 17 when she left oakland, california for nEW YORK CITY. she CROSSED the country with just one thing on her mind. If I Were A Bell BLEY: I heard Miles Davis, and I just had to sort of pursue that. I went that first night after I arrived, having hitched a ride with someone, to the Cafe Bohemia. And I sat there and watched. I didn’t pay much attention to anyone but Miles. Everyone has always asked me who was in the band, and I’m not quite sure. I just knew Miles. And I’d still go anywhere to hear him. I would cross the country in a minute if I could. If I Were a Bell Excerpt of “If I Were a Bell” composed by Frank Loesser and performed by The Miles Davis Quintet from the album Relaxin’ with the Miles Davis Quintet used courtesy of Concord Music Group and by permission of MPL Communications.