Jazz Me Blues

The Autobiography of Chris Barber ISBN: 9781845530884 (hb) by Chris Barber, with Alyn Shipton PRICE: DESCRIPTION: $29.95 (hb) Jazz trombonist Chris Barber formed his first band in the late 1940s, but it is the band that he has led from 1954, after parting company with trumpeter Ken Colyer, that has established all kinds of PUBLICATION DATE: records for success and longevity. The 54 year partnership with trumpeter Pat Halcox is the longest 15 March 2014 (hb) continuous association in jazz history. The Barber band achieved chart success on both sides of the Atlantic, with "Petite Fleur", and from the middle to late 1950s it was the most popular music act in BINDING: the UK. The band was one of the first British jazz groups to tour extensively in the United States. It Hardback has remained one of the most popular and widely imitated jazz bands in Europe for over half a century. PAGES: 256 In this candid account of his life and music, Barber tells the story of his band, but also of his many other contributions to music in Britain. He and his guitarist and singer Lonnie Donegan began the PUBLISHER: skiffle movement. His band pioneered touring with authentic American blues and gospel musicians, Equinox Publishing including Big Bill Broonzy, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. There were also tours with American jazz soloists, including John Lewis, Trummy Young, IMPRINT: Ray Nance and many others. Barber and his colleague Harold Pendleton also launched the Equinox Publishing Marquee Club in London, which became a legendary jazz and rock venue, as well as becoming the launchpad for the Richmond and Reading Festivals. SERIES: Popular Music History Barber's band has always been devoted to both jazz and blues, touring for many years with the charismatic Northern Irish singer Ottilie Patterson, (who became Barber's wife) and also including READER INTERESTS: the blues guitarist John Slaughter in the line-up. In 2001 the band became the Big Chris Barber Music Band, allowing him to continue to play the New Orleans jazz he has always loved, but also to play the big band repertoire of musicians such as Duke Ellington.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Parents, school, the war, growing up
2. The first band
3. The Ken Colyer period
4. Chris Barber's Jazz Band and Ottilie Patterson's arrival
5. The blues connection
6. The Marquee Club
7. Taking "trad" to America
8. The end of the "trad" boom
9. Motor racing
10. The Jazz and Blues band era
11. Friends and collaborators - from Van Morrison and Eric Clapton to Rory Gallagher and Dr John
12. The Big Chris Barber Band

Brief discography of CD releases

CONTRIBUTORS BIOGRAPHIES: Chris Barber is a jazz trombonist and leader of the Barber band formed in 1954. The band, one of the first British jazz groups to tour extensively in the United States, achieved chart success on both sides of the Atlantic with "Petite Fleur" and from the middle to late 1950s it was the most popular music act in the UK. It has remained one of the most widely imitated jazz bands in Europe for over half a century and has established all kinds of records for success and longevity.