kids encyclopedia robot

Barbara Morrison facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Barbara Morrison
Barbara Morrison.jpg
Background information
Born September 10, 1949 (1949-09-10)
Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
Died March 16, 2022(2022-03-16) (aged 72)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Jazz, blues
Occupation(s) Vocalist

Barbara Morrison (born September 10, 1949 – died March 16, 2022) was an amazing American jazz singer. She was known for her powerful voice and her ability to sing both jazz and blues music.

About Barbara Morrison

Barbara Morrison was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She grew up in Romulus, Michigan. She started singing on the radio at just 10 years old! This showed her talent from a very young age.

In 1973, when she was 23, Barbara moved to Los Angeles. There, she quickly began singing with famous jazz bands. She even sang with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's band. For many years, from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s, she recorded several albums with the musician Johnny Otis.

Touring the World

Barbara Morrison traveled all over the world to share her music. In 1986, she went on a big tour called the Philip Morris Superband tour. She visited 14 cities in places like Canada, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. On this tour, she performed with jazz legends like Jimmy Smith and James Moody.

She also toured 33 cities in the United States. This special tour was a tribute to the famous composer Harold Arlen. In 1995, Barbara was part of a TV show honoring the legendary singer Ella Fitzgerald. She performed alongside many other stars, including Mel Tormé, Stevie Wonder, and Tony Bennett.

Working with Music Stars

Barbara Morrison worked with many of the biggest names in music. Some of these included Ray Charles, Etta James, Dr. John, and Nancy Wilson. She also sang with famous jazz orchestras like the Count Basie Orchestra and the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra.

She performed at major jazz festivals around the world. These included the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands. She also sang at famous venues like Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Barbara was also a professor at UCLA. She taught global jazz studies there. This showed her dedication to sharing her knowledge and love for jazz with new generations.

Sadly, Barbara Morrison passed away on March 16, 2022, at the age of 72, after some health issues.

Barbara's Music Albums

Barbara Morrison released many albums throughout her career. She was known for her unique style in both jazz and blues. Here are some of her albums:

  • Love Is a Four-Letter Word (1984)
  • Love'n You (1990)
  • Blues for Ella: Live (1995) - This album was a live recording.
  • I Know How to Do It (1996)
  • Thinking of You, Joe (2002) - This was a special tribute to the jazz singer Joe Williams.
  • Live at the Dakota (2005) - This album includes her famous song, "They Call Me Sundown."
  • Double Standards (2006) - This was a two-CD set.
  • A Sunday Kind of Love (2013)
  • I Love You, Yes I Do (2014)
  • The L.A. Treasures Project: Live at Alvas Showroom (2014)
  • Warm & Cozy (2021)

Barbara also sang on albums by other artists. For example, she sang with Johnny Otis on his albums like Back To Jazz and Otisology. She also sang with Jimmy Smith, Doc Severinsen, and Keb' Mo'.

Barbara Morrison's Legacy

Barbara Morrison left a lasting mark on the music world. To honor her, a special intersection in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, was named Barbara Morrison Square. This happened on her birthday, September 10, 2022.

She had opened the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in that area. This center was a place for new artists to perform and grow. It shows how much she cared about helping other musicians.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Barbara Morrison para niños

kids search engine
Barbara Morrison Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.