Welcome to the Official Chris Barber - Archive
This website is dedicated to the life and legacy of Chris Barber (1930–2021), one of the most influential figures in European jazz and traditional jazz worldwide. For decades, Chris Barber and his bands inspired audiences across the globe with their distinctive blend of jazz, blues, and skiffle – shaping popular music far beyond the boundaries of the jazz scene.
- This site is not a news platform, but a permanent digital archive. It brings together a carefully curated collection built over many years:
- concert programmes, tour posters, and photographs
- discographies and release information
- fan club magazines and memorabilia
- historical articles and interviews
The aim is to provide a lasting resource for fans, researchers, and anyone interested in the history of jazz. Above all, this archive is a tribute to Chris Barber’s lifelong passion for music and to his enduring influence on generations of musicians and listeners around the world.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions about Chris Barber’s career, recordings, or concerts by using the contact form.
Best wishes
Toni Ginsel (Webmaster)
Challenges for a Trombonist
By Dr. Peter Brennecke, supplemented and completed in December 2025 by Dr. Angela Brennecke and Toni Ginsel
Introduction
Throughout his musical life, Chris Barber demonstrated a rare combination of curiosity, openness, and artistic integrity. Deeply rooted in New Orleans jazz, he never allowed himself to become confined by a single idiom. Rather than drawing boundaries, he consistently sought dialogue – with fellow musicians, with emerging currents, and with sound worlds that initially lay outside his own experience.
See further information on Challenges for a Trombonist here.
Banjo‘s, Tea Chests, Thimbles & Washboards The Great UK Skiffle Boom!
Jasmine Records JASMCD 2755 (2023)
Skiffle is a unique genre of folk music that blends elements of folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and jazz. It originated in the United States but gained immense popularity in the United Kingdom (UK) during the 1950s.
The so-called Skiffle Craze began in 1956, attracting music-making teenagers from across the country.
They typically used a mix of manufactured and homemade or improvised instruments such as acoustic guitars, banjos, stand-up tea-chest basses, and washboards to create music with a distinctive beat…
Januar 11, 2026Introduction Throughout his long and distinguished career as a musician and bandleader, Chris Barber never confined himself …
März 26, 2025IntroductionChris Barber became particularly well-known for his music, which was influenced by New Orleans jazz, and his bands. …
April 23, 2024“It’s Trad, Dad!“ Reissue (2023) In Europe, especially from the 1950s until the mid-1960s, the music scene was dominated by …
Januar 27, 2024Despite all the developments in the field of television and the many opportunities that the internet offers, radio has managed to …
Juli 8, 2023“3000 Years With Ottilie“ Reissue 2023 Sunbeam Records SBRLP5116 (LP) Sunbeam Records SBDP1105 (CD) Ottilie Patterson was …
März 19, 2023Chris Barber & Dr. John “Mardi Gras At The Marquee” – Reissue on blue vinyl After the launch of the CD around the middle of …
Januar 27, 2023My Name Is Ottilie Soul singer Dana Masters traces the story of Ottilie Patterson. This documentary will be presented at the …
Juni 24, 2022Lake Records LACD 364 (2022)A Review from Andreas Wandfluh , thank you Andreas At last arrived! The brand new CD box from Lake …
Februar 19, 2022Jasmine Records JASMCD 2732 (2021) A Review from Peter Brennecke, thank you Peter As a follow-up to the successful CD “Ottilie …
Juli 23, 2021A set of four CD’s, coming with a book (89 pages) of more than 18,000 words of discographical and biographical information …
Contributions of particular importance or that focus on significant topics are compiled in the „Special Highlights“ section.
- 2026-01-11Introduction Throughout his long and distinguished career as a musician and bandleader, Chris …
- 2025-03-26IntroductionChris Barber became particularly well-known for his music, which was influenced by New …
2024-03-31Must-Have Compilations From his long life as a musician and bandleader, which spanned from the …
2023-11-03I have been trying very hard, but I cannot remember when I first became interested in Traditional …
The fine print: Since January 1, 2004, www.chrisbarber.net has been maintained by Ed Jackson of (Canada), Andreas Wandfluh (Switzerland), and, until his untimely death in 2009, Julian Purser (England). Over the years, many other people from around the world have provided otherwise inaccessible material and additional information. They are listed on the Credits and Thanks page.
As of January 1, 2021, Toni Ginsel took over the full responsibility for this website, supported by Michael Heinzlmeier, Dr. Peter Brennecke (Germany) and Andreas Wandfluh (Andreas Wandfluh stepped back from the webmaster work. However he is still giving archival and content support).
If you have any questions or comments about this website, contact us.
