Contributed by delmonico, who writes:-
Many people in the UK were first introduced to jazz through the music of Chris Barber (I was one) who has now been playing and leading various groups for over 55 years.
Chris played, and still does to a large extent, what came to be known as Traditional Jazz and it had a huge following in the 1950s although over the years. He broadened his musical style and played on a regular basis with such 'modernists' as Joe Harriott.
Here in recordings from 1954 and 1955 with his regular group the band plays typical music from that period. Lonnie Donegan, who played banjo for a while with Barber, went on to have a successful musical career in the pop/folk world and was one of the leaders in introducing the 'skiffle' sound to the UK. One of his forgettable hits was 'My Old Man's A Dustman'
Pat Halcox - cornet
Chris Barber - trombone
Jim Bray - tuba, bass
Monty Sunshine - clarinet
Lonnie Donegan - banjo
Ron Bowden - drums
01 Bobby Shaftoe (Traditional) (2:48)
02 Merrydown Rag (Barber) (3:23)
03 It's Tight Like That (Dorsey, Whitaker) (3:32)
04 The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (Seitz) (3:14)
Label: Decca ep DFE 6382
Recorded July 13 (01 02) October 30 1954 (03) January 09 1955 (04)
Lineage: EP>FLAC
Chris Barber is still a welcome listen. Thanks for the EP
ReplyDeleteThe first live band I saw was Chris Barber & Ottile Patterson at Poplar Civic Theatre (in Poplar Town Hall) line up was Pat Halcox,Jim Bray, Monty Sunshine, Ron Bowden & Lonnie Donegan, from that night on I was hooked on Jazz although my preference became Modern Jazz still enjoyed Mainstream & Trad Jazz. this was in 1956 I think as was still at Grammar School left in 57, happy days
ReplyDeleteGood of you to share your memories, Anon. You followed the same path as many, many others we suspect, as regards progression.
ReplyDeleteAfter my preference changed was a regular at the Flamingo Allnighters when they were Jazz orientated,saw many great musicians,but Tubby Hayes was my favourite, stopped going when went totally over to young Mods and stunk of weed and they were all popping pills and even then were too young for my likeing. I was an ancient 25 by then
ReplyDeleteAnon - Thanks for sharing the reminiscence. Things move on but our era remains pretty strong it seems, Tubby being one of those around whom it is centred.
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