Chris Barber still blowing strong after 68 years - Entrepreneur Generations

Jazz icon Chris Barber and his Big Band returns to Doncaster’s Cast Theatre on Friday 30 June at 7.30pm, with favourites like "Bourbon Street Parade", "Jubilee Stomp", "Petite Fleur", “Ice Cream”, "When the Saints Go Marching In" and many more.

Chris Barber OBE this year celebrates his 63rd year as leader of his band on a full-time professional basis. In fact, his career began even earlier - in 1949 – when he started his first amateur band which included Alexis Korner on guitar. In their respective ways, they have gone on to become major figures in bringing blues and gospel music to audiences of the UK and Europe.

The Chris Barber Jazz Band of 1953 was a six piece line up. These days - known as The Big Chris Barber Band - it is ten in number. Chris’ explanation for that is ‘Throughout the years we have always enjoyed playing the music of Duke Ellington. From time to time we have brought to Europe the artistes we admire and who would enable us to perform larger arrangements than could be achieved by a six-piece band.’.

The Chris Barber Big Band, 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.

Featuring in the band is Bob Hunt – a student of Duke Ellington’s music and arranger of The ‘Duke’s’ music and the proud owner of a trombone once the property of Ellington trombonist ‘Tricky’ Sam Nanton! As Chris adds, ‘So we can all play those Ellington arrangements whenever we (or the audience) feel like it!’.

The concert at Cast includes Chris’ favourites like "Bourbon Street Parade", "Jubilee Stomp", "Petite Fleur", “Ice Cream”, "When the Saints Go Marching In" and many more.

Tickets for Chris Barber Big Band at Cast on Friday 30 June at 7.30pm are £20 are available at castindoncaster.com and on 01302 303 959.

from NorthernJazzLive http://ift.tt/2uep2yU Chris Barber still blowing strong after 68 years - Entrepreneur Generations

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