Barbara Carroll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Carroll
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Carroll with Clyde Lombardi (left) and Chuck Wayne, 1947
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Barbara Carole Coppersmith |
| Born | January 25, 1925 Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | February 12, 2017 (aged 92) Manhattan, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano, vocals |
| Years active | 1947–2016 |
Barbara Carroll (born Barbara Carole Coppersmith) was an American jazz musician. She was a talented pianist and singer. She lived from January 25, 1925, to February 12, 2017.
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Becoming a Jazz Star
Barbara was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. She started learning classical piano when she was eight. But by high school, she decided she wanted to play jazz piano instead.
She went to the New England Conservatory of Music for a year. However, she left because it was hard to balance school with playing in bands. In 1947, a famous jazz writer named Leonard Feather called her "the first girl ever to play bebop piano." Bebop is a fast and complex style of jazz.
Her First Trio
The next year, Barbara formed a trio. This group included Chuck Wayne on guitar and Clyde Lombardi on bass. They even played with the famous musician Benny Goodman for a short time.
Later, Charlie Byrd took over on guitar, and Joe Shulman played bass. After Charlie Byrd left, Barbara decided her trio would be just piano, bass, and drums.
Working on Broadway
In the 1950s, Barbara and her trio worked on a Broadway show. It was called Me and Juliet by Rodgers and Hammerstein. During this time, her career slowed down a bit. This was due to changes in music tastes and some personal reasons.
Later Career and Cabaret
In 1972, Barbara's career became popular again. People were very interested in her music once more. In 1975, singer Rita Coolidge asked Barbara to play on a recording.
Later, in 1978, Barbara toured with Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson. Over the next twenty years, she became well-known as a cabaret performer. Cabaret is a style of entertainment often performed in restaurants or clubs. It usually includes singing, comedy, and sometimes dancing.
Her Life Outside Music
In September 1954, Barbara married Joe Shulman. He was the jazz bassist in her trio. Sadly, he passed away in 1957 when he was only 33 years old.
Later, Barbara married Bert Block, who was an agent and photographer. They had a daughter named Suzanne. Bert passed away in 1986. In 2011, Barbara married Mark Stroock. They were together until she passed away at age 92.
Awards and Recognition
Barbara Carroll received special honors for her amazing talent.
- In 2003, she won the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Lifetime Achievement Award. This award celebrates women who have made a big impact in jazz music.
- In 2015, she was honored by The New Jewish Home at their Eight Over Eighty Gala. This event celebrates people over 80 who have achieved great things.
Images for kids
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Carroll with Clyde Lombardi (left) and Chuck Wayne, 1947
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Carroll in New York, 2007
