Chris Barber

guitars4you

Just heard Chris Barber has died aged 90 - Here is a man that has had a major impact on many other musicians, especially in the 50's and 60's - https://www.jazzwise.com/news/article/chris-barber-17-april-1930-2-march-2021

Instrumental in bringing some of the sounds of jazz and blues from the USA to the UK

RIP Chris

jdgm

R.I.P.

A GREAT musician and in some ways the most important mover and shaker in the late 50s-early 60s English music scene. 

relic245

Sad.

In the late 80's there was a rumour that Rory Gallagher was supporting Chris at Warwick University.

Sounded a bit far fetched but me and a few mates went. 

It was so weird. Mostly middle aged couples in evening dress and us in cut off denims. 

There was no support act but after about an hour someone wheeled on a Marshall stack and Rory came and did a 45 minute set.

It was veery weird but thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

Hated the jazz but left with total respect for Chris and his dedication to music as a whole and not just his style. 

Later in lifei got to understand what a giant he is on that world and appreciated it even more. 

Rip. 

Jimbro66

Along with Ken Colyer one of the first to promote Trad Jazz in the UK. Then along came Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and others to all enjoy huge popularity in the late fifties and early sixties. Chris Barber also of course had Lonnie Donegan in his band before Lonnie became huge as a solo performer. Wonderful musicianship from all those bands but Trad Jazz is now almost a thing of the past as far as live performance is concerned.

Huge respect to Chris Barber. RIP.

guitars4you

Jimbro66 said:

Along with Ken Colyer one of the first to promote Trad Jazz in the UK. Then along came Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and others to all enjoy huge popularity in the late fifties and early sixties. Chris Barber also of course had Lonnie Donegan in his band before Lonnie became huge as a solo performer. Wonderful musicianship from all those bands but Trad Jazz is now almost a thing of the past as far as live performance is concerned.

Huge respect to Chris Barber. RIP.

Don't want to put his life/career into a 5 minute bubble - But that connection with Lonnie is what gave birth in the UK to skiffle and the huge interest in the guitar as a 'modern' instrument - This influenced the likes of John and George, plus many many more and in due course the birth of the 60's pop invasion - His influence in the 50's and 60's was massive to so many other musicians and indeed fans

ICBM

Without doubt one of the most important British musicians of the 20th Century.

RIP

scrumhalf

A founding father of modern British music and an influence on many who never eben knew his name. I doubt we'll see someone so important again.

guitars4you

guitars4you said:

Jimbro66 said:

Along with Ken Colyer one of the first to promote Trad Jazz in the UK. Then along came Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball and others to all enjoy huge popularity in the late fifties and early sixties. Chris Barber also of course had Lonnie Donegan in his band before Lonnie became huge as a solo performer. Wonderful musicianship from all those bands but Trad Jazz is now almost a thing of the past as far as live performance is concerned.

Huge respect to Chris Barber. RIP.

Don't want to put his life/career into a 5 minute bubble - But that connection with Lonnie is what gave birth in the UK to skiffle and the huge interest in the guitar as a 'modern' instrument - This influenced the likes of John and George, plus many many more and in due course the birth of the 60's pop invasion - His influence in the 50's and 60's was massive to so many other musicians and indeed fans

Forgot to add - In many ways skiffle, probably like punk that followed and everyone thought I can do this - You don't need to read music, understand modes, know many chords or licks - Just pick-up a simple guitar, learn just enough, find 3/4 like minded mates and you can have fun, do a gig and entertain 

Even now, I'm chatting to a couple of mates about forming a band that crosses the boundaries of skiffle and busking, so no big pa rigs, light rigs, drum kits etc - Play a cross between skiffle, swing , jump n jive and that 50's vibe, just as long as it is simple, you can tap your foot to it, turn up at 8.30 and play at 9 etc - The Rock Island Line, I'm walkin, That's all right mama, Bring me sunshine, Mama don't like etc etc etc - Just fun, with little solos, but plenty of rhythm/swing 

Grangousier

For reasons I don't now understand, when I was at college the Monday trad jazz night was one of the places students ended up to socialise. This was over thirty years ago and trad was already thirty years out of date even then. Strangely perfect, though - incredibly fun music, loud enough to hear in a crowded pub (with all the brass instruments) but not so loud you couldn't have a conversation. 

McSwaggerty

i went to see Andy Fairweather-Low a couple of years ago and he said although he enjoyed playing and touring with with EricClapton, Van Morrison, George Harrison and Roger Waters, what he loves most is playing with Chris Barber. 

He said, 'To this day,Chris is still playing,... I'm 70 years old and I am the youngest member of his band'   

Jalapeno

RIP Chris

rogd

RIP Chris. Much respect.