Chris Barber's Jazz Band

Chris Barber's Jazz Band, led by trombonist and bandleader Donald Christopher Barber OBE, was formed in England. Born on April 17, 1930, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, he began his musical journey at the age of seven with violin lessons. He later developed an interest in jazz while attending Hanley Castle Grammar School and St Paul's School in London. After studying at the Guildhall School of Music, he formed the New Orleans Jazz Band in 1950, which evolved into Chris Barber's Jazz Band. In 1954, the band released their first album, New Orleans Joys, featuring "Rock Island Line" performed by Lonnie Donegan. This single launched Donegan's solo career and sparked the British skiffle boom. The band's October 1956 recording of Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur", a clarinet solo by Monty Sunshine, spent 24 weeks in the UK Singles Chart, reaching number 3 and selling over 1 million copies. This success was followed by several tours of the United States. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Chris Barber arranged the first UK tours of blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Muddy Waters, influencing young musicians like Peter Green, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones. In 1964, he introduced blues guitarist John Slaughter into the lineup, marking a significant shift in the band's sound. Notable albums from this period include Battersea Rain Dance, released in 1969 on the progressive Marmalade Records label, featuring contributions from Paul McCartney and Brian Auger. In addition to his work with the band, Chris Barber also collaborated with other notable musicians. He married blues singer Ottilie Patterson in 1959, who became a prominent member of the band until their divorce in 1967. Their collaboration included several albums together, such as Chris Barber's Jazzband with Ottilie Patterson (1955) and Chris Barber's Jazz Band with Ottilie Patterson (1964). The band also released a series of live albums, including Chris Barber in Concert Vol. 3 (1958), Chris Barber in Concert Vol. 2 (1958), and Barber at the London Palladium (1961). The band's influence extended beyond their music, as they were featured in the short documentary film Momma Don't Allow, made in 1956. The film captures the emerging youth culture of that period and features the Chris Barber Band live with Ottilie Patterson in a north London trad jazz club. In addition to his musical achievements, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. Chris Barber continued to perform and record with his band until his death on March 2, 2021.

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