jazz and b lues performances, some are msemorable imply baetter thers. When it cWhen omes it tco omes jazz tao nd blues very performance is captivating, energetic, nd most tohan f all Fo UN for everyone It’s time to treat your audience to a performance they will remember as one of the best they have ever experienced. Treat your audience to
in attendance!
3 Grammy nominations (1982, 1999 & 2014) Sings “Road to Love” title track on #1 album/CD on the National Jazz Charts (Nov 2015) Has taught jazz vocals at UCLA since 1994 Motown HAL Awards recipient (2015) In 2010 recognized by NPR as one of the
Voices of the Century: “50 Greatest Female Jazz Vocalists”
B
arbara The Legend
MORRISON
Contents Summary Bio
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Page 4
Performance Credits (continued)
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CD’s & Albums
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Music Educator, Producer and Philanthropist
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Fees & Rider
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Performance Credits
(Festivals, As Guest Vocalist & Venues) (“Who’s Who” performances and collaborations)
For Booking Information Mr. Timothy Morganfield (323) 350-1962 Email: morganfieldts@gmail.com www.BarbaraMorrison.com 2
Barbara Morrison SUMMARY BIO
This Michigan native has been a rising star since childhood when she recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. She grew up a short Born in Ypsilanti drive from Motown where music was creating shockwaves around the world. (20 miles from Detroit) Music was taking the world by storm, and Barbara got caught up in the Grew up in Romulus whirlwind and moved to Los Angeles in her early 20’s. (18 miles from Detroit) DETROIT, MI Barbara is indelibly etched into history as one of the most prolific jazz and blues recording and performing artists. Her reputation as a band leader, along with stellar performances as the featured vocalist with iconic big bands orchestras has placed her among an elite class of entertainers. She has become a recurring act at numerous annual festivals and venues, a testament to her popularity, talent and the impact of her live performances. Whenever Barbara is in the line-‐up, EVERYONE in the vicinity is guaranteed to have a one-‐of-‐a-‐kind musical experience. It is rare to be considered a legend in one’s own lifetime, but her resume tells the 1973 Moved from Michigan story. Highlights on the next page provide a sampling, a mere snapshot capturing to LOS ANGELES more than three decades of concerts, festivals and multi-‐city tours. 1985 Recorded first solo album Her contributions to the genres include years as a music educator, mentor 1995 Performed in all-star televised and purveyor of projects to preserve and promote the history and tribute to Ella Fitzgerald ongoing evolution of jazz and blues. 2008
Recorded album with the BBC at Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland
Versatile Electrifying Memorable
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Barbara has graced the stage of every major jazz festival in California, and most in the U.S. She has thrilled audiences with her band at jazz coffee houses, corporate events, private parties and annual jazz festivals that attract thousands.
Her influence extends across continents and generations.
In December 2015, she was the featured entertainment for Dr. Dre’s “Straight Outta Compton” Holiday Party in Beverly Hills, CA.
She has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad for more than three decades, thrilling audiences with her band in Western Europe, the Far East and “Down Under.” In February 2016 she will be returning to the Annual Sitka Jazz Festival in Alaska where she will also conduct a University Master Class and perform with a youth big band comprised of more than 100 students. In April 2016, she will travel to Switzerland for the Bern Festival.
Partial List of Performance Credits Annual Festivals
Playboy Jazz Festival Sitka Jazz Festival Monterey Jazz Festival and Monterey Bay Blues Montreaux Jazz Festival Nice Jazz Festival
Featured or Guest Vocalist
Clubs & Entertainment Venues
Count Basie Orchestra Clayton Hamilton Orchestra Ray Charles Orchestra The Crusaders Doc Severinsen’s Big Band
Carnegie Hall (1985 & 2005) Hollywood Bowl Sydney Opera House Wimbley Stadium Steamers
Take a few minutes to enjoy a video clip of Barbara in action.
Visit www.BarbaraMorrison.com and scroll to the bottom of the Home page for a selection.
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Over the years, her melodic three-‐octave range has been featured in performances, on tour and recordings with a virtual list of “who’s who” (partial list in alphabetical order)
Barbara Morrison in studio session with Kenny Burrell recording title hit on his “Road to Love” CD, which soared to #1 on National Jazz Charts upon its release in November 2015. After 8 weeks, it was still riding high in the #2 spot. ___________________________
Pre-show warm-up for a performance with Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy.
Tony Bennett Terence Blanchard Kenny Burrell Ron Carter Ray Charles Wilton Felder Dizzy Gillespie Linda Hopkins
Etta James Dr. John B.B. King Keb’ Mo James Moody Johnny Otis Ester Phillips Joe Sample
Carlos Santana Jimmy Smith Clark Terry David T. Walker Cedar Walton Joe Williams Gerald Wilson Nancy Wilson
As Barbara continues to add to an enormous stack of impressive achievements, she recalls highlights earlier in her career that will always hold special memories: • In 1995, Barbara performed in a star-‐studded line-‐up television tribute to Ella Fitzgerald along with Mel Torme, Diane Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tony Bennett, Dionne Warwick and Lou Rawls • Featured guest vocalist with the Philip Morris Superband for a 14-‐city, one-‐month tour that kicked off on September 3, 1986 to travel to Canada, Australia, Japan and the Philippines. The band included jazz organist Jimmy Smith, backed by saxophonist James Moody, guitarist Kenny Burrell and Jon Faddis with Grady Tate on drums. • Co-‐headlined in a 33-‐city U.S. tour that featured an all-‐star tribute to composer Harold Arlen (most notable for his genius behind the music for the film classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”)
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Barbara is destined to be counted as one of the most recorded jazz and blues vocalists during our lifetime. She has a catalog of more than 20 recordings that feature her singing well-‐known covers and standards, as well as a growing body of original works that have been met with favorable reviews by fans and critics alike.
CD’s &Albums (partial catalog)
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Music Educator Producer Philanthropist
In addition to providing free and low-‐cost music education programs for youth and adults, Barbara has been teaching a Jazz Vocals course at UCLA since 1994. She has created economic opportunity for hundreds of jazz and blues artists, as the creator and producer of numerous community festivals and performance series.
In 2008 she opened the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC). The 99-‐seat theatre is located in the historic Leimert Park District, which is considered the center of the African American arts scene in Los Angeles, CA. The adaptable performance workspace is alive with music and arts-‐related programming at least 6 days each week. BMPAC supports the national Harmony Project* by donating the facility for the children to practice during the week after school. She also teaches a Jazz Vocals Workshop every Wednesday night. (*School-‐based music education and performance program for children)
Now in its 3rd year of production, “I Wanna Be Loved” is a musical theatre production about the life and times of Dinah Washington, Queen of the Blues – portrayed by Barbara Morrison. Written by Barbara Morrison and Michael Cormier, this production was lauded with three NAACP awards in 2014 (Best Producer, Best Costume and Best Music Director). The BMPAC theatre is usually packed every third Sunday at 4pm when saxophonist John Stephens takes the stage with his 18-‐piece jazz orchestra to provide the musical introduction and rhythmic backdrop to introduce “Dinah.”
In April BMPAC will be celebrating National Jazz History Month with Barbara’s production of “Broadway in Leimert Park,” a month-‐long series of 26 concerts and jazz musicals. On April 30th, International Jazz Appreciation Day, the series will culminate with a finale performance and premiere of “Swing Royale”: Songs of the Two Greatest Big Bands of All Times, a tribute to Duke Ellington and Count Basie. This is the biggest known celebration of its kind on the West Coast.
This celebration will also serve as the public introduction of Barbara’s latest project, and the primary sponsor for the series, the California Jazz and Blues Museum. She has established the nonprofit 501(c)(3) to provide a vehicle for the community to preserve and promote the contributions of California to the jazz and blues genres.
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Performance Fees & Rider Enjoy a Barbara Morrison as a featured vocalist, with her trio or 5-piece band, or have her bring in the big guns with a full jazz orchestra. We can accommodate the ensemble configuration of your preference – her band or yours, with her consent.
Performance Fees* 1) Guest/Featured Vocalist
2) Barbara Morrison w/Trio 3) Barbara Morrison w/5-piece 4) Barbara Morrison w/Big Band 5) Ensemble tailored to your request
*Contact us for your customized quote. The fee for each performance is contingent upon: o Instrumentation requested (solo, trio, 5-piece, big band or other ensemble) o Location (i.e. distance that requires transportation and lodging) o and type of event (private party, corporate event, annual festival, free-to-the-public, etc.)
Performance Venue • Stage chair** • Easy access to stage (or ADA-compliant ramp)** • Green Room / Dressing Room Hospitality/Kraft Services • Food: o Sandwiches / Fruit Tray / Chips for band+ o Fresh/Green Salad for Barbara** o Orange juice** o Peppermint candy** • Beverage: Bottled Water / Soft Drinks Travel • Hotel / King Size / Non-Smoking Room • Air / Ground Transportation • Wheel Chair**
**Access, mobility & special dietary request
Please contact:
Mr. Timothy Morganfield (323) 350-1962 Email: morganfieldts@gmail.com
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