Barb Jungr

Barb Jungr (born 9 May 1954) is an English singer-songwriter, composer and writer, of Czech and German parentage. She is known as a chansonnière, or singer of chansons—in the sense of classic, lyric-driven French songs; in the broader sense of European songs in the cabaret style; and in the even broader sense of a diverse range of songs interpreted in this style. She is also an acclaimed jazz and cabaret singer, and has become best known for her work with, or "interpretations" of, the songs of Bob Dylan.^[1][2] A song-stylist incorporating jazz and blues, her approach often includes radical re-readings of known writers as well as original material.

Early life

Barb Jungr was born in Rochdale, Lancashire^[3] to immigrant parents.

Her father was Miroslav Jungr, a Czech scientist; her mother, Ingrid, was a German nurse. The eldest of three siblings, Barb grew up in Stockport, Cheshire, where she attended Stockport Convent School for Girls before earning a BSc from Leeds University. Miroslav Jungr came to Britain as a refugee after the Second World War and after incarceration in the German Work Camps.^[4]

The mid '70s and the Alternative Cabaret Circuit

First arriving in London in the mid 1970s, Jungr worked with playwright Pam Gems and composer Paul Sand, appearing as the singer at the Edinburgh Festival production of Gem's play "Dead Fish" which subsequently became 'Dusa Fish Stas and Vi'.^[5] Jungr's first single was "He's Gone", as the Stroke,^[6] released by CBS records, was single of the week in the NME and was written and recorded with her then husband Dan Bowling.

Barb then formed the Three Courgettes with Michael Parker and Jerry Kreeger, and busked new wave versions of gospel classics in the Kings Road and Portobello Market in the late 1970s, where the band were discovered by Island Records, subsequently touring with Kid Creole and the Coconuts and all manner of other acts (Sade, Mari Wilson, the Jets).^[7] The Three Courgettes recorded a special Christmas track for Michael Zilkha's A Christmas Record.

She then formed the duo Jungr and Parker with blues guitarist and R&B aficionado Michael Parker. For thirteen years they performed internationally and were regularly seen and heard on British television and radio. They had their own BBC Radio 2 series "We Stayed In With ... Jungr and Parker"^[8] with specials recorded at the Edinburgh Festival, produced by Sonia Beldom.^[9] Jungr and Parker toured extensively with Alexei Sayle and Arnold Brown (with whom they won a Perrier Award in Edinburgh in 1987 at the Gilded Balloon Theatre^[10]) and toured nationally and internationally with Julian Clary, appearing with him in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre and on Channel 4 television in "Sticky Moments" and "Terry and Julian". Barb composed and performed the theme songs for three of his national TV programmes, including Mr and Mrs (with composer and co-writer James Tomalin) and co-produced Clary's single "Wanderin' Star" as well as several other tracks.^[11]

Music

Jungr and Parker released 6 albums of largely self written material, with a vinyl release compilation of early songs for Billy Bragg's Utility Label.^[12] Jungr subsequently played harmonica on Bragg's album Workers' Playtime.^[13] In 1991 Jungr and Parker performed in a Festival of European music in Sudan, funded by the British Council. The success of that trip lead to them performing and giving workshops in Cameroon, Tanzania, Malawi and Burma. Jungr wrote about these experiences for the Guardian Diary, Folk Roots and The Singer and in 1994 enrolled in a Masters at Goldsmith's College in Ethnomusicology for which she received a Distinction. She specialised in the Voice and Singing.^[14] about which she has consequently written and spoken^[15][16] During that time Jungr began to embark on solo shows accompanied by Russell Churney, and broke into a new solo career with the release on the Irregular Label of the CD, Bare which was recorded in a day, live at the Conway Hall with the support of Overtones Studios.^[17]

In the early 1990s Jungr developed the themed shows which have become her speciality – "Hell Bent Heaven Bound" (with Ian Shaw, Christine Collister and Michael Parker) was Perrier Pick of the Fringe, "Money the Final Frontier" (with Helen Watson, Christine Collister and Michael Parker) was invited to the Canadian Music Festivals and toured extensively.^[18] In 1998 she toured the show 'Sex, Religion and Politics" directed by Julia Pascal appearing at the 1998 Edinburgh Festival (produced by Julius Green and Ian Lenagan and Pluto Productions). With composer James Tomalin she contributed a track "Jackie" to Irregular records Jacques Brel compilation CD, and the "Fear of a Red Planet" CD.^[19]

In 1999 Jungr was invited to record for Glasgow based Linn Records, releasing Chanson: The Space in Between in 2000, centred around a series of new English translations of classic French chansons. In 2002, she released Every Grain of Sand, an album of new arrangements of Bob Dylan’s songs, followed by Waterloo Sunset in 2003.^[20] Appearing in a New York season at the Flea Theatre in 2002 she was awarded the Backstage Bistro Award in New York in 2003 for Best International Artist.^[21] In 2004 she recorded Love Me Tender, an album of songs recorded by Elvis Presley for release in March 2005 followed by Walking in the Sun (2006), featuring guitarist Eric Bibb. In 2007 Jungr collaborated with British composer Mark Anthony Turnage, appearing with the London Sinfonietta in a commissioned piece About Water at Queen Elizabeth Hall to celebrate the reopening of the Festival Hall.^[22] In 2008 Barb released Just Like a Woman – Hymn to Nina featuring the repertoire of Nina Simone, and was awarded a Nightlife Award in New York in 2008 for "Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist".^[23] In March 2010 NaimLabel released The Men I Love – The New American Songbook and performed a second season at the Cafe Carlyle in the Carlyle Hotel, New York. In spring 2010 Jungr released a follow up to her cult Dylan album in May 2011 on Linn Records – Man in the Long Black Coat: Barb Jungr Sings Bob Dylan.^[24] In 2012 she released Stockport to Memphis, again on the Naim Jazz label, including self penned and autobiographical material amongst her now highly acclaimed deconstructions of classic songs.^[25]

In March 2014 Jungr released Hard Rain: the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen on Kristalyn Records, and toured the UK, with a season in New York's 59E59 Theater in November. The album won the Best Cabaret CD Award from BroadwayWorld.com.^[26]

Other collaborations include composer Jonathan Cooper on his "Moon Behind the Clouds" song cycle, ^[27] the cabaret show 'Girl Talk' with Mari Wilson and Claire Martin, and Gwyneth Herbert which toured intermittently for 10 years ^[28]and the trio Durga Rising with the Southall-based tabla player Kuljit Bhamra and pianist Russell Churney, the CD of which was released on Keda Records and re-released in 2011.

During 2015, her collaborations included performances and recordings with US Emmy award-winning composer-arranger and musical director John McDaniel, of Beatles songs, on both sides of the Atlantic.^[29]

Since 2015, Barb has also recorded and toured on both sides of the Atlantic with the Grammy award-winning US contemporary progressive pianist, Laurence Hobgood, with whom she recorded a new Linn released collection ‘Shelter from the Storm’, (Released February 19, 2016) featuring three original compositions alongside songs by Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Rodgers and Hammerstein, David Bowie, Stephen Sondheim, Bruce Springsteen and Peter Gabriel.^[30]

In early 2016, Barb was a featured artist in James Gavin’s Lincoln Center songbook series celebrating Peggy Lee.^[31]

Theatre

Barb acted in British director Robina Rose's film "Nightshift", playing the bar girl.^[32] For Debbie Isitt's Snarling Beastie Theatre Company she composed music for "The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband" at the Royal Court Upstairs and "Matilda Liar" at the Tricycle Theatre. She appeared in Isitt's "10 by 10" for BBC Television. In 2002 the British Council supported Jungr's three-week run at New York's Flea Theatre.^[21]

Jungr has also worked with the Amici multi disciplinary dance troupe, and has directed and produced the work of other artists. She was featured as the singer in Simon Armitage's millennial poem Channel 4 film, directed by Brian Hill and she created the cabaret show "Girl Talk" with Mari Wilson and Claire Martin.

Radio

Barb has presented, written, and researched many programmes for national BBC Radio 2, (three series of "We Stayed in With Jungr and Parker and two Edinburgh Specials),^[33] BBC Radio 3 (For Heavy Entertainment two programmes on Persian music "Sweet Lips Dark Eyes" and two on Ethiopian music "Shaking Shoulders and Honey Beer" ),^[34] BBC Radio 2 (writer and presenter of "The Hoppings" two-hour arts special for Soundbite Productions) and BBC Radio 4 (Malawi Diary producer Paul Dodgson) and in Canada for CBC, as a regular contributor to "The Global Village" as well as contributing to many BBC arts programmes including Woman's Hour, Kaleidoscope, Saturday Review, Saturday Live and A Good Read.^[35][36][37]

Community and other work

Barb Jungr coached the young offenders in vocal delivery for Brian Hill's Bafta-winning film Feltham Sings.^[38] She created the voice course at London Metropolitan University and formed and ran the Raise the Roof Horseman Choir (which she founded) for several years.^[39] In 2012 she created the song cycle 'Deep Roots Tall Trees' for the Core Theatre at Corby, with local musicians, songwriters and poets.^[40] In 2012 she created the song cycle 'Deep Roots Tall Trees' for the Core Theatre at Corby, with local musicians, songwriters and poets.[14] which culminated in a ground breaking concert at Corby football ground in August 2014 incorporating local musicians, the Deep Roots Tall Trees Choir, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Antony Weedon at Corby Football Ground. This concert launched the 'Made In Corby' Arts Council England initiative.^[41]

Writing

Cinderella (2005), (lyricist), Jack and the Beanstalk (2006), (composer and lyricist), and Beauty and the Beast (2007), (composer and lyricist). Director (all) – Cal McCrystal, Pantomimes (Newbury Corn Exchange)

The Ballad of Norah's Ark – songs Barb Jungr and Russell Churney, book Barb Jungr and Andy Goldberg, from original idea by Barb Jungr. In development in northeast England, previous workshops and readings in New York and London. Performed by the Billingham Players in June 2011.^[42]

The Jungle Book (lyricist) – Birmingham Stage Company, toured again 2011/12^[43]

The Fabulous Flutterbys (2010) – (book, composer and lyricist), Produced by the Little Angel Puppet Theatre in spring 2010.^[44]

She co-adapted, with Peter Glanville, Michael Rosen's children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt for the stage for the Little Angel Theatre with music and songs by Barb Jungr, directed by Peter Glanville. The show opened for a 12-week run at the Little Angel Theatre in May 2013 which toured through autumn 2013, 2014, 2015 and is due to tour again in 2016.

Personal

Barb Jungr lives in London. She was married to musician and writer Richard "Dan" Bowling 1981 – 1991.

Discography

Solo albums

• Bouquet of Barbs (1985)
• Bare (1999) Irregular Records
• Bare Again re-release (2007) Premiere Jazz
• The Space in Between (2000) Linn Records
• Every Grain of Sand: Barb Jungr Sings Bob Dylan (2002) Linn Records
• Waterloo Sunset (2003) Linn Records
• Love Me Tender (2005) Linn Records
• Walking in the Sun (2006) Linn Records
• No Regrets: the remarkable Barb Jungr (2007) Australia compilation ABC Jazz
• Just Like a Woman (2008) Linn Records
• The Men I Love -The New American Songbook 8 March, (2010) Naimlabel
• Man in the Long Black Coat: Barb Jungr Sings Bob Dylan (2011) Linn Records
• Stockport to Memphis (2012) Naim Jazz
• Hard Rain - the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen (2014) Kristalyn Records
• Bare Again (2014) Kristalyn Records
• Shelter from the Storm: Songs of Hope for Troubled Times (2016) Linn Records

Albums with Michael Parker

• Wicked (1986)
• Blue Devils (1987)
• Night and Day (1988)
• Off the Peg (1988)
• Over the Bridge (1990)
• Canada (1992)
• Blue Devils (2015) iTunes release - previously cassette only

Other albums

• "Gentle Men" (2013) Robb Johnson with Barb Jungr, Jenny Carr, Jude Abbott and John Forrester
• "Durga Rising" (2011) remastered with additional tracks, with Kuljit Bhamra and Russell Churney
• "Hell Bent Heaven Bound - Money The Final Frontier" (2009) Barb Jungr, Christine Collister, Helen Watson and Michael Parker
• The Magic of Kisses (2008) – Jonathan Cooper
• Girl Talk (2005) with Claire Martin and Mari Wilson
• And They ALL Sang Rosselsongs (2004) – Various artists
• Uneasy Street (2005) with Ian Shaw
• The Music of BB Cooper: The Best of British Vocal Jazz (2004) – Various artists
• Darkness and Disgrace: Des de Moor and Russell Churney Perform the Songs of David Bowie (2003) – Des de Moor and Russell Churney
• Nine Times Two (2002) – Various artists
• The Moon Behind the Clouds (2002) – Jonathan Cooper
• The Triumph of Hope Over Experience (2002) – Robb Johnson
• Article 14 (2001) – Various artists
• Period Pieces: Women's Songs for Men and Women (1998) – Peggy Seeger
• Ne Me Quitte Pas: Brel Songs by... (1998) Various artists
• Durga Rising (1997) with Kuljit Bhamra and Russell Churney
• Hell Bent Heaven Bound II: Money the £inal £rontier (1993) with Christine Collister, Michael Parker and Helen Watson
• Ze Christmas Album (1982) – Various artists

References

External links

• Barb Jungr – Official website
• Barb Jungr's official Myspace page
• Barb Jungr's artist profile on Linn Records' website
• Barb Jungr at AllMusic