Chris Barber

Biography

Donald Christopher Barber, born on April 17, 1930, in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, was a pioneering English jazz musician best known as a bandleader and trombonist. He began his musical journey at age seven with violin lessons and later attended schools in Worcestershire and London, where his mother was headmistress. During World War II, he was evacuated to the west of England, where he discovered jazz through records like Coleman Hawkins’ 'Body and Soul,' sparking a lifelong passion. After the war, Barber immersed himself in London’s jazz scene, teaching himself trombone and studying at the Guildhall School of Music. In 1949, he formed his first band, the New Orleans Jazz Band, and quickly became a central figure in Britain’s trad-jazz revival.

Barber’s band, which evolved into the Chris Barber Jazz Band, became a major force in the 1950s, known for its authentic New Orleans jazz style and for launching the careers of key British musicians. His group’s recording of 'Petite Fleur' was a UK top twenty hit in 1959, and their inclusion of skiffle acts—most notably Lonnie Donegan—helped ignite a national craze that inspired future rock icons like John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Barber also played a crucial role in bringing American blues and R&B artists to Britain, fostering the British blues boom and influencing the rise of British rock & roll. He remained active for decades, adapting his band’s sound to include blues, swing, and mainstream jazz, and continued performing well into the 21st century.

Fun Facts

• Barber’s band’s recording of 'Rock Island Line' with Lonnie Donegan sold a million copies in the UK and made the top ten in the US, starting the skiffle craze.
• He was one of 'The Three B’s' of British trad jazz, alongside Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball.
• Barber’s band recorded 'Cat Call,' a song written by Paul McCartney, in 1967.
• He expanded his band in the late 1990s to include more instruments, eventually renaming it The Big Chris Barber Band.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Coleman Hawkins - Inspired Barber’s early jazz passion through recordings (Body and Soul) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Lonnie Donegan - Banjo player and vocalist in Barber’s band; performed skiffle as intermission act (Rock Island Line, John Henry) [1950s]
• Ottilie Patterson - Blues singer and later wife; featured vocalist in Barber’s band (Various live and studio recordings) [1950s–1960s]
• Alexis Korner - Guitarist in Barber’s early band; later founded Blues Incorporated (New Orleans Jazz Band) [1949–1950s]
• Ken Colyer - Trumpeter and co-leader in early band; band renamed after Colyer’s departure (Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen) [1952–1954]

Artists Influenced

• John Lennon - Inspired to form the Quarrymen after being influenced by skiffle craze sparked by Barber’s band (The Quarrymen (early Beatles)) [1950s]
• Paul McCartney - Inspired to begin playing music by the skiffle craze (The Quarrymen (early Beatles)) [1950s]
• The Rolling Stones - Barber’s sponsorship of American blues artists helped create the environment for the Stones’ formation (Early British blues scene) [1960s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. It Takes a Worried Man (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
2. Lost John (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
3. Goin' Home (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
4. Good Morning Blues (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
5. Outskirts of Town (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
6. Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
7. Midnight Special (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
8. Dead or Alive (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
9. Frankie and Johnny (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)
10. Goodnight Irene (Live) (The Skiffle Sessions: Live In Belfast)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia