Wednesday, 15 January 2025

Happy “Heavenly” Birthday to New Orleans Jazz master Daniel Moses “Danny” Barker

The Jazz banjo-musician was born January 13, 1909, and was the grandson of bandleader Isidore Barbarin. He began playing clarinet and drums, but switched to ukulele and then banjo.

After playing with various musicians and groups in the 1930’s, in 1939 through 1946, he often recorded with the legendary Cab Calloway.

Barker then formed his own group with his wife called ‘Blue Lu Barker.’

In the 1940’s, he worked with greats like Charlie Parker and Bunk Johnson.

After away from home for many years, he returned to New Orleans in 1965 and took over the position of ‘assistant to the curator’ at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.

He also wrote two books, “Bourbon Street Black” and “A Life In Jazz.”

Barker died in New Orleans in 1994 at the age of 85.

In his honor since 2014, there is a “Danny Barker Guitar and Banjo Festival” each year in New Orleans.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...