Chris Barber has died, aged 90. For my generation he was largely a name from the past; someone to file alongside the likes of Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk – decidedly uncool and passe. Wrong of course. I saw him live a number of times in the late 80s and 90s and realised what a great bandleader he was; what a great band he had (including the superb John Slaughter on guitar) and what a key role he played in popularising blues and jazz in this country – not least with the likes of Van Morrison of course. What always came across was his deep love and understanding of the music he was playing.
A genuine giant of British music in the second half of the last century. RIP
https://www.lastmusic.co.uk/news/chris-barber-giant-of-uk-jazz-1930-2021
If you read the Billy Bragg skiffle book, following it all back, he’s one of the most important people in the history of rock’n’roll – even though he didn’t really have anything directly to do with it.
“Pivotal” as music journalists used to say.
This marks the loss of a true giant of British music and one with astonishing longevity. I can remember first listening to his music in the 60’s and then revisiting him over the next thirty years before finally getting to see him live at Bedford School in the late 80’s. He would do a concert there every year and they were always a joy – whatever the line up. I remember John Slaughter and the always impressive Ian Wheeler as regular members of that band. It was around then that I bought his double album of New Orleans music, featuring Dr John and musical recreation of a funeral procession ‘In And Out Of The Town’. I still play this today and marvel at the musicality.
I last saw him in spring 2018 when he brought his Big Band to Horsham and, at the age of 88, led them in a memorable show. Rest in peace, Chris, you’ve earned it.
Sad News. I saw him at a Summer Jazz event at Kew about 10 or 15 years ago. It was good night out. Before that, I last saw him (or rather, I was in photos with him) when I was a little baby and he was still married to my Aunt Ottilie Patterson. That relationship didn’t last long and Ottilie – who was possessed of a truly remarkable voice – dwindled away rather – living near my family & I in N Ireland (we visited once a month) and then Ayr prior to her passing a few years ago.
Most notably, Chris got my cousin Lorraine a photo signed by all four Beatles at some point in the early 60’s when she was a young girl and a fan…later as I got more into music I wondered where it was…they’d lost it. I was (and, to some extent, remain) gutted…
Lovely story. I saw your Aunt performing once and she did indeed have a fabulous voice. Here they are together, with Ottilie in full flow
Without Chris Barber and Ken Colyer, no Alexis Korner, Lonnie Donegan and Skiffle, thus no ’60s Beat Boom, Rolling Stones and Beatles.
Couldn’t have put it better myself. He introduced numerous US musicians to the somewhat parochial UK scene. For example, Sister Rosetta Tharpe back in 1957.
Nothing on BBC website of course.
Yes, that’s shocking but sadly not surprising.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-56270163
Good to see it’s on the website. I was genuinely surprised though when on the ten o’clock news they had obits for Bunny Wailer and Ian St John but not a peep about Chris Barber.
Same with the Guardian – it’s on their website but not the published edition.
“Chris Barber Presents The Blues Legacy: Lost & Found Series” Vol. 1, 2 & 3 are great compilations of visiting American blues artists live, backed by Barber and his band.
If you can find them.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Muddy Waters & Otis Spann, Jack Dupree, Louis Jordan, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Witherspoon, Howlin’ Wolf & Hubert Sumlin. Also Barber and his band with Ottilie Patterson, Ronnie Scott & Humphrey Lyttleton and on their own.
This, my friends, is a tad cool.