Smith & Co

Chris Barber was born in Welwyn Garden City in 1930. His early years saw him learning to play forceful, but subtle and highly disciplined trombone, as well as very solid double bass. With a natural ability for composing and arranging, as well as a flair for leadership, Barber formed his first band in 1948, recording early on in 1951 for Carlo Krahmer's Esquire label as Chris Barber's Washboard Wonders. In March 1953 Ken Colyer returned from his legendary visit to New Orleans and was offered the leadership of the Barber band, which he accepted. However, this was only due to last a matter of months as Barber and Colyer had a different agenda as to how Jazz should be played and presented. Colyer left and reformed, whilst the band became Chris Barber’s Jazz Band once again, bringing in Pat Halcox on trumpet in 1954. With Monty Sunshine on clarinet, Lonnie Donegan on banjo, guitar and vocals, Jim Bray on bass and Ron Bowden on Drums, this would come to be regarded as the classic Barber Band.

This double CD, in contrast to other material on the market, is the definitive collection of Chris Barber’s best work from the immediate post war period up to 1958. Undoubtedly the greatest
Trad - Jazz period in the UK, this double set, beautifully mastered, will appeal not only to the jazz aficionados, but also to the broader public who still remember the post war years with a nostalgic gleam in their eyes.

CD 1
Magnolia's Wedding Day
Whistling Rufus
Chime Blues
Petite Fleur
Doin' The Crazy Walk
Baby
Take my Hand Precious Lord (Feat. Lonnie Donegan)
Bugle Call Rag
Wildcat Blues
Saratoga Swing
Brownskin Mama
God leads his dear little Children along
Weeping Willow Blues (Feat. Ottilie Patterson)
Tishomingo Blues
Diga Diga Do
Dixie Cinderella
Hushabye
Merry Down Rag
Bye and Bye
Sweet Savannah Sue
Thriller Rag
Old Rugged Cross
Stevedore Stomp
Bobby Shaftoe
Bourbon Street Parade
Listen to CD1 - track 1 - 5

CD 2
Tiger Rag
High Society
Lord, you've surely been good to me
Camp Meeting Blues
St. Philip Street Breakdown
New Orleans Blues
The Martinique
Wabash Blues
Going to Town
Shout 'em Aunt Tillie
Original Tuxedo Rag
South
Jail House Blues (Feat. Ottilie Patterson)
White Christmas
Sing on
You Don't Understand
Papa De Da Da
Ice Cream
Blue Sunshine
Whoop it up (as Chris Barber's Washboard Wonders)
Everybody Loves my Baby
Snake Rag (as Chris Barber's New Orleans Jazz Band)
Double Check Stomp
Listen to CD1 - track 1 - 5