Chris Barber

Chris Barber

Chris Barber is a British jazz trombonist from Welwyn Garden City, England. Born in 1930 and active until his death in 2021, he is best known for playing trombone in a trad jazz style and for his work in Dixieland jazz.

Career

Barber is educated at St Paul’s School in London. In the early 1950s he plays in Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen alongside Ken Colyer, Lonnie Donegan, Jim Bray, Ron Bowden and Monty Sunshine. During this period the group plays skiffle in its breaks, and Lonnie Donegan performs songs including “Midnight Special” and “In the evening, when de sun go down”, which become major sellers.

After a split in the band, Ken Colyer leaves to form his own group and Barber takes over the line-up, renaming it. His later groups include Chris Barber’s Jazz Band and Chris Barber Jazz & Blues Band.

Style and genres

Barber’s work spans jazz, blues, folk, ragtime, skiffle and swing. He is particularly associated with Dixieland jazz and the British traditional jazz movement.