“Barbara Blair’s subtle, soulful singing cuts to the heart of jazz.”
Vocalist, educator, and jazz messenger Barbara Blair counts herself among the
fortunate few who spend their life following their passion. “Music is my life. My voice is my soul. It’s all and everything I am.”
With a deep, rich voice described as warm cocoa on a winter’s night,Barbara’s
interpretive approach comes from the giants and innovators of mainstream jazz
including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Carmen McRae. Following a career in the professional classical music scene, Barbara returned to her first love – jazz – studying with luminaries Kurt Elling, Ellis Marsalis, Sheila Jordan, Paul Horn, Nancy King, and Jay Clayton. Nearly two decades of performing and touring add polish and
depth to her performances.
Barbara’s latest release 'September in the Rain' features guitarist Brian Nova (celebrated protégé of Joe Pass and Herb Ellis), Buddy Catlett, bass, (veteran
of bands led by Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Quincy Jones),Joey Smith, guitar (Glenn Miller Orchestra arranger) and drummer Gregg Williamson (Ernestine Anderson ensemble).
Barbara’s education program The School of Cool – An Introduction to Jazz has played to more than 35,000 students in primary and secondary schools.
Dividing her time between concert and educational tours throughout western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, a recent tour took Barbara to Hawaii and Australia.
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