Danny Barker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danny Barker
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 13, 1909 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 13, 1994 (aged 85) New Orleans |
| Genres | Jazz, blues, zydeco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, vocalist |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele |
| Associated acts | Cab Calloway, Blue Lu Barker, Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band, Onward Brass Band |
Daniel Moses Barker (born January 13, 1909 – died March 13, 1994) was an American jazz musician. He was also a singer and a writer from New Orleans. He played rhythm guitar for famous bands like Cab Calloway's during the 1930s.
One of Danny's first music teachers in New Orleans was a banjo player named Emanuel Sayles. Danny played with many jazz legends throughout his career. These included Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, and Red Allen. He also toured and recorded music with his wife, the singer Blue Lu Barker.
Starting in the 1960s, Danny Barker did something very important. He worked with the Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band. This helped keep jazz music alive and strong in New Orleans. He taught many young musicians, including Wynton and Branford Marsalis. They both played in his band when they were young.
Contents
Danny Barker's Life Story
Danny Barker was born into a family of musicians in New Orleans in 1909. His grandfather, Isidore Barbarin, was a bandleader. His uncles, Paul Barbarin and Louis Barbarin, were drummers. Danny first tried playing the clarinet and drums. Then he switched to a ukulele that his aunt gave him. Later, he learned to play the banjo.
Danny started his music career when he was young. He had his own street band called the Boozan Kings. In 1930, he moved to New York City and started playing the guitar. On his first day in New York, his uncle Paul took him to a music club. There, he saw an amazing performance by McKinney's Cotton Pickers. This show really inspired him.
Playing Music in New York
In New York, Danny Barker played with several different groups. He worked with Fess Williams and Billy Fowler. From 1937 to 1938, he played with Lucky Millinder. In 1938, he joined Benny Carter's band. While in New York, he often played with musicians from the West Indies. They sometimes thought he was from there too. This was because of his unique Creole style of playing.
From 1939 to 1946, Danny recorded many songs with Cab Calloway. After leaving Calloway's band, he started his own group. His wife, Blue Lu Barker, was a singer in this group. In 1945, he recorded with famous jazz artists like Sir Charles Thompson and Charlie Parker. He continued to perform with various musicians throughout the 1940s and 1950s.
Returning to New Orleans
In 1965, Danny Barker moved back to New Orleans. He became an assistant at the New Orleans Jazz Museum. In 1970, he started a special brass band for young people. This band was called the Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band. Reverend Andrew Darby, Jr. asked Danny to form this Christian band. Danny went around the neighborhood to find young musicians.
This band helped start the careers of many famous musicians. These included Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Nicholas Payton. One former band member, Joe Torregano, said that this group "saved jazz for a generation in New Orleans." Later, this band became known as the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. During this time, Danny also led another group called the French Market Jazz Band.
Danny Barker played music regularly in New Orleans from the late 1960s until the early 1990s. He also went on tours. In 1994, during the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, he was honored as King of Krewe du Vieux. He also wrote a book about his life and many articles about jazz history.
Danny composed many songs. Some of these songs are still played by New Orleans bands today. He wrote two books about jazz that were published by Oxford University Press. He also enjoyed painting landscapes as a hobby.
Danny lived during a time when segregation was common in the United States. This meant he faced many challenges in his career because of his race. He had health issues throughout his adult life. Danny Barker passed away from an illness in New Orleans on March 13, 1994, at the age of 85.
Personal Life
Danny Barker was raised in both the Baptist and Catholic faiths.
Film Appearances
Danny Barker is featured in a 2011 film called Tradition is a Temple. In this movie, other musicians talk about how much Danny influenced their lives. A New Orleans poet also reads a poem dedicated to him. In 1957, Danny appeared on a TV show called The Sound of Jazz. He performed with other jazz greats like Red Allen. He also appeared in a New Orleans film called Always for Pleasure. In 1987, Danny played a role in a TV drama film called A Gathering of Old Men.
Awards
- 1994 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Best Traditional Jazz Group for Danny Barker
- 1993 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Lifetime Achievement In Music
- 1993 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Best Traditional Jazz Group for Danny Barker
- 1991 - National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) NEA Jazz Masters Award
- 1991 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Best Traditional Jazz Group for Danny Barker
- 1990 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Best Traditional Jazz Group for Danny Barker and the Jazz Hounds
- 1989 - Big Easy Entertainment Awards - Best Traditional Jazz Group for Danny Barker and the Jazz Hounds with Blue Lu Barker
See also
- List of people from New Orleans
