Chris Barber OBE (86) is one of the last British Jazz legends around and an icon of traditional jazz in the UK.
For more than 68 years he has been active in the music scene with promoting, recording and releasing music and touring with his band. A milestone.
This year he and his band: THE BIG CHRIS BARBER BAND will celebrate 100 Years of Jazz, under the theme: Centenary of Jazz and be performing at Easterbrook Hall on Wednesday the 26th of July: 7.30pm
In early 1917 the very first Jazz record was released by The Original Dixieland Jass Band: Livery Stable Blues. In the beginning of the 90s, Chris Barber and partnering label Timeless Records re-released this very special record under the sub label Timeless Historical Series, where Chris coordinated the label as co-producer.
Now, in 2017 and a century later, the record from Original Dixieland Jass Band will exist 100 years. A moment to celebrate for Chris and for Jazz in general.
The BIG Chris Barber Band (10-piece!), inspired by great Ken Colyer Jazz Men, features everything from New Orleans to blues to late 20’s Ellington, played with extraordinary panache and skill. On this special night you will hear songs from that age and Chris’ favourites like “Bourbon Street Parade”, “Jubilee Stomp”, “Petite Fleur”, “Ice Cream”, “When the Saints Go Marching In” and many more.
They stand out as one of the finest, if not the finest, of its kind anywhere in the world. You can count on an exciting evening of high quality jazz and blues which will appeal in equal measure to the aficionado and the newcomer.
Chris Barber himself has been one of the initiators of pop music today, as he gave stage to many American blues musicians for the first time in Europe. Musicians like Muddy Waters,
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee and Big Bill Broonzy. These musicians later inspired bands like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Eric Clapton a.o.
Chris and his band are respected by many other jazz, blues and pop musicians, like Van Morrison, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Mark Knopfler, Paul Jones and many more.
Chris Barber recent award:
** Blues Great Award of British Blues Awards in 2015 **
** Special APPJAG Award at Parliamentary Jazz Award in 2014 **
** German Jazz Trophy in 2014 **
