Tony Barrand facts for kids

Anthony Grant Barrand (born April 3, 1945 – died January 29, 2022) was a talented folk singer and university professor. He was born in Britain but became an American citizen. Tony Barrand taught at Boston University, where he shared his knowledge about different cultures and traditions. He was especially interested in folk songs, dances, and even unusual mind abilities.

Early Life and Learning Journey

Tony Barrand was born in a town called Gainsborough in England. His parents were musicians in a Salvation Army brass band, so music was a big part of his early life. When he was 10, his family moved to Bletchley. There, they became active members of the Methodist Church.

Tony went to Keele University in England and earned a degree. After that, he moved to the United States. He continued his studies at Cornell University, where he earned his Ph.D. It was at Cornell that he met John Roberts. This meeting started a long and successful music partnership.

A Career in Music and Dance

Tony Barrand was most famous for his music with John Roberts. They formed a duo called Roberts and Barrand. They sang traditional English folk music, sometimes without any instruments (this is called a cappella). They also sang songs about the sea, known as sea shanties.

Tony and John were also part of another music group called Nowell Sing We Clear. This group released many albums. They also performed special concerts each year around Christmas time, which are called yuletide concerts.

Morris and Clog Dancing Expert

Beyond singing, Tony Barrand was an expert in traditional English dances. He was a master of Morris dance, a lively folk dance often performed with bells and sticks. He also excelled at clog dance, which uses special shoes to make rhythmic sounds. Tony taught these dances all over the United States. He even wrote several books about them.

He helped organize the Marlboro Morris Ale, a big yearly meeting for Morris dancers in Vermont. In 2008, he received a special award for his important work. This award recognized his efforts in teaching, studying, and even filming Morris dance. It also honored his skills as a traditional singer and musician.

Tony Barrand's collection of films and videos of these dances is very important. It was given to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. This means his work is preserved for future generations to learn from.

Personal Life and Legacy

Later in his life, Tony Barrand faced health challenges. He had multiple sclerosis, which affected his movement. However, this did not stop him from continuing his teaching and musical performances. He kept sharing his passion for folk music and dance until he passed away in 2022.

Music Recordings

Tony Barrand was part of many music recordings. Here are some of the albums he helped create:

Solo and Collaborations

• Northern Harmony (1990)
• With Keith Murphy:
  • On the Banks of Coldbrook: Atwood Family Songs from the Hills of Vermont (2010)

Recordings with Roberts and Barrand

• Spencer the Rover is Alive and Well… (1971)
• Across the Western Ocean (1973)
• An Evening at the English Music Hall (1974)
• Mellow with Ale from the Horn (1975)
• Dark Ships in the Forest (1977)
• Live at Holsteins! (1983)
• A Present from the Gentlemen (1992)
• Naulakha Redux: Songs of Rudyard Kipling (1997)
• Heartoutbursts: English Folksongs Collected by Percy Grainger (1998)
• Twiddlum Twaddlum (2003)

Recordings with Nowell Sing We Clear

• Nowell Sing We Clear (1977)
• To Welcome in the Spring (1980)
• The Second Nowell (1981)
• Nowell Sing We Clear, Vol. 3 (1985)
• The Best of Nowell Sing We Clear 1975–1986 (1989)
• Nowell Sing We Four (1988)
• Hail Smiling Morn! (1995)
• Just Say Nowell (2000)
• Nowell Nowell Nowell! (2008)
• Bidding You Joy (2013)