Barbara Morrison

Barbara Morrison

Photo by Sarah Diaz
Background information
Birth name Barbara Morrison
Origin Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Vocalist
Associated acts Ella Fitzgerald
Website Official Barbara Morrison website

Barbara Morrison (born 10 September 1949) is an American singer of jazz music.

Biography

Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Romulus, Michigan, Barbara Morrison recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. She moved to Los Angeles in 1973, at the age of 23.[1] Well known in the Los Angeles area for her duo and trio dates Ms. Morrison also tours extensively, blazing a trail as a Jazz and Blues legend in her own right across the Continental United States, Western Europe the Far East and "Down Under", wowing audiences with her band. In 1986, touring with the Philip Morris Superband, a 14 city one month tour of Canada, Australia, Japan and the Philippines, starting on September 3, 1986, Barbara did vocal honors with jazz organist, Jimmy Smith, backed by Saxophonist, James Moody, Guitarist, Kenny Burrell, t Trumpeter, Jon Faddis with Grady Tate on drums.

Barbara completed a 33-city tour in the US, co-headlining in an all-star tribute to composer Harold Arlen (most recognizable for his genius behind the music for the classic film, The Wizard of Oz). Over the years she has performed with a virtual "who's who" of the Jazz and the Blues worlds. That list includes legends such as Gerald Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, James Moody, Ron Carter, Etta James, Esther Phillips, David T. Walker, Jimmy Smith, Johnny Otis, Dr. John, Kenny Burrell, Terence Blanchard, Joe Sample, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, and Keb' Mo. Ms. Morrison has also guest-starred with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra and Doc Severinsen's Big Band.

In 1995, Barbara Morrison was on a televised Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, with Mel Torme, Diane Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick, and Lou Rawls,

Barbara Morrison, Performance Arts Center supports the Harmony Project. The children practice during the week after school. Pop. Her melodic voice, with its three-and-a-half-octave range, is known worldwide, as are her rich, unique, soulful and highly spirited interpretations of both, familiar Jazz and Blues classics and original contemporary tunes.

"I Wanna Be Loved" written by Barbara Morrison and Michael Cormier is a musical theatre production about the life and times of Dinah Washington, Queens of the Blues, In additional to her gigs with other jazz and blues groups and legends, Barbara Morrison also performs at the more renown blues and jazz festivals around the world. Her appearances include Montreux, Nice, Pori, Carnegie Hall, North Sea, Darling Harbour, Sydney Opera House, Australia, Monterey, Long Beach, as well as salutes to Dizzy Gillespie and her tribute to Benny Golson.

More recently beginning in 2011, Barbara Morrison has been performing with Jack Hale, a popular So. Cal master guitarist/ arranger/ band leader of cool and hot vintage jazz and swing styles from the 1920s through 1950s.

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Kirk Silsbee, "This time, it's Barbara Morrison's turn for a favor", Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2011.

External links