Born in 1930, Chris Barber was one of the leading figures in European jazz. Together with Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk, he was one of the “Three B’s” who defined traditional jazz in Britain.
Chris Barber’s legacy to the British and European music scene started with a love of 1920s American jazz and blues. Together with Trumpeter, Ken Colyer (who was one of the first British players to make it to New Orleans and play with the “Old Guard” of American Jazz Musicians), Chris’s band aimed to reproduce the New Orleans sound as authentically as they could. This became the beginnings of the British “Trad Jazz” scene. After Ken and Chris parted company, Chris and members of his band were also responsible for the introduction of many American blues artists to Britain in the 50s and 60s including Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
The programme features Barber classics such as Petite Fleur, Bourbon Street Parade and When The Saints Go Marching In. Plus a journey through many of the other genres that the band has explored over the years.