Barbara James (musician)

Barbara James (1908–2004) was an Australian jazz vocalist.

Barbara James
Barbara James by Rob Hillier c1940s
Barbara James by Rob Hillier c1940s
Background information
Born1908
Sydney, Australia
Died2004
Genresjazz, swing
Occupation(s)singer

Career

Born 1908 in Sydney,[1] James' parents Will James and Malvena Moore were both entertainers.[2] Her father had led an early Australian jazz band in Sydney, and he taught Barbara James to play saxophone and xylophone.[3] At age 13, James was contracted by Harry George Musgrove to perform xylophone in theatres around Australia, and she later joined her father's jazz band as saxophonist and singer, where she began to perform jazz and swing.[1]

Barbara James was considered one of Australia's most famous big band vocalists during the 1930s.[3] She performed with Jim Davidson and Frank Coughlan, among others.[4]

She married pianist Reg Lewis in the 1930s,[5] and they toured England, Europe, and Asia together during the 1940s.[1][6] During this period they also recorded together.[7][8] Back in Sydney, they hosted their own radio program over the next decades.[1][9]

Barbara James died in 2004.

References
  1. Barnard, Loretta (26 June 2022). "Barbara James - the chanteuse with the mostest | Australia Explained". australia-explained.com.au. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  2. Poppleton, Greg (18 May 2021). "BARBARA JAMES, AUSTRALIAN 1930S-60S SWING SINGER". Greg Poppleton Music. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  3. Johnson, Bruce (2019-10-16), "Global Jazz Diaspora", Jazz Diaspora, Routledge, pp. 21–82, ISBN 978-1-351-26668-0, retrieved 2023-05-04
  4. Fahey, Warren. "Barbara James '20th Century Blues'". Undercover MusicB. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  5. "PERSONAL". Katoomba Daily. 1936-12-19. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  6. "Guest Artist At Jazz Jamborees - ABC Weekly Vol. 8 No. 31". ABC Weekly. 17 August 1946. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  7. Blain, Ellis (18 January 1947). "On The Record - ABC Weekly - Vol. 9 No. 3". ABC weekly. p. 9. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  8. "Other People's Letters - The ABC Weekly - Vol. 7 No. 4". ABC Weekly. ABC. 27 January 1945. p. 10. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  9. "Reg Lewis Makes Music - ABC weekly Vol. 19 No. 49". ABC weekly. 4 December 1957. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
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