Celebrating the great Danny Barker

11th January 2016   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Danny Barker made an indelible change in the way we live and celebrate life and death in New Orleans. On his return to his hometown in 1965 following many years successfully pursuing his musical career in New York, the guitarist, banjoist and composer observed that the city’s brass band tradition that was once so vital, was dying out. He had the vision, passion, personality and talent to do something about it. “There were no kids playing it because they thought it was old men’s music,” Barker once explained.

Upon the suggestion of the minister of the Fairview Baptist Church, Barker started recruiting young musicians to form the Fairview Baptist Church Marching Band. Eventually, spinoffs from that group included the Hurricane and Dirty Dozen brass bands and actually every outfit that is on the streets today. It’s difficult to imagine just what New Orleans would be like on Sunday afternoons when brass bands roll with the social aid and pleasure clubs’ anniversary parades without Barker’s intervention. Would this city’s renowned jazz funerals have survived? If not Barker, who would have taken up the cause?

This month we celebrate Danny Barker, who was born in New Orleans on January 13, 1909, in several important ways. From January 14 through 17, multiple events held at multiple venues make up the second annual Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival. Another exciting occasion is the release by the GHB label of an excellent, two-disc compilation titled Danny Barker – New Orleans Jazz Man and Raconteur. The material, which spans from 1944 to 1991, was obviously lovingly gathered and produced by drummer Trevor Richards and pianist Lars Edegran both of whom are well-known on the traditional jazz scene. The package also includes some great pictures of the always photogenic and animated Barker as well a comprehensive biography.

The title of the festival and the name of the album package speak to the breadth of Barker’s talents. Either one could have added composer, vocalist, educator, author, storyteller and mentor to many. The festival has many facets – school workshops and clinics, performances at both small clubs and the Carver Theater and panel discussions – undoubtedly because Barker was a man of many creative interests.

There are nights, such as Thursday’s All-Star Tribute at Snug Harbor that focus on Barker’s involvement in traditional jazz when he led his own New Orleans Jazzhounds and worked as a sideman with the likes of clarinetist Pud Brown. (You can check this combo out on the new album package.) On Friday night, the action moves just down Frenchmen Street to the Blue Nile where the accent will be on the guitar and banjo. It’s a gathering of some of the area’s finest fretmen including Mem Shannon, Steve Masakowski, Chris Thomas King, Vasti Johnson and Bill Solley. Saturday there’s a big show with many acts at the Carver Theater and on Sunday afternoon beginning at 2 p.m. the music gets going at Bullet’s. This should be a lot of fun with trumpeters Greg Stafford, Kermit Ruffins and Leroy Jones and trombonist Lucien Barbarin among other noted players. Representing Barker’s brass band influence, the Hot 8 will be in the house.

Extending the festival a bit, nationally renowned vocalist Maria Muldaur will perform at a benefit concert – A Tribute to Danny and Blue Lu Barker – at the Palm Court on January 22. It’s noted that Muldaur recorded “Don’t You Feel My Leg,” which was written by Danny Barker and sung by his wonderful wife Blue Lu Barker. Showtime is at 8 p.m.

As mentioned, this festival moves around. For the complete schedule go to www.dannybarkerfestival.com.

Not to lessen Barker’s significance in rejuvenating the brass band tradition, it is important to remember his true gift as a musician in a variety of settings. Yes, he could be hilarious with his antics and his lyrics but he could also be very sophisticated in his playing. One of the joys of Danny Barker – New Orleans Jazz Man and Raconteur is that we can hear his solid ability as a rhythm guitarist of the swing era. He did, after all, spend some seven years playing and recording with the great Cab Calloway’s band. Though there are no cuts from those sessions in this package, a good example of Barker’s rhythmic chops and steady pulse are heard on Disc I’s opener, 1944’s “Stompin’ at the Savoy” led by trumpeter Jonah Jones. It is totally remarkable considering the tune was produced 70 years ago, just how clear the recording is. You can absolutely hear every strum of Barker’s guitar. From 1947, we get to hear more of Barker’s finesse on “Rampart Street Boogie” this time in a trio setting.

Disc II starts out with Barker leading his Creole Cats on his self-penned “Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing,” recorded back in 1955. It’s a tune that demonstrates the early influence of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian traditions on the city’s music. Barker plays more banjo on the songs on this disc and is heard with his famous uncle, drummer Paul Barbarin on the fast-paced rendition of his “The Second Line.” Jazz, second lining in the neighborhood, Mardi Gras Indians were all one in Barker’s world as they remain in the Black community today. He’s hustlin’ on the banjo here. Wow.

Some names more familiar to New Orleanians pop up on part two including pianist Jeanette Kimball and bassist Chester Zardis. Perhaps Barker’s most famous song, the very funny “Save the Bones” offers great insight into his poetic and humorous nature. Two recorded interviews also offer a peek into his philosophic, political, racial and often witty take on the world. His talented wife, vocalist Blue Lu Barker finally shows up on a sultry “Gulf Coast Blues” and “It’s Right Here for Ya.”

There is still much to be learned from the great Danny Barker, who died on March 13, 1994. His namesake festival and the new, absorbing album deliver a wealth of his knowledge of both music and life as well as his sense of fun.

This article originally published in the January 11, 2016 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.