Patricia Barber


Patricia Barber is an American jazz and blues singer, pianist, songwriter, and bandleader.

Biography

Barber's father Floyd was a jazz saxophonist who played with Bud Freeman and Glenn Miller. Patricia Barber learned saxophone and piano in her youth and started singing in high school musicals. She concentrated on piano at the University of Iowa in the early 1970s. After graduating, she performed at bars and clubs in Chicago. Her album Mythologies is based on Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid.

Personal life

Barber is a lesbian; interviews with her suggest she does not try to hide this fact, but she "tires" of the public interest in her sexuality and that it contributes to her fame. In November 2008, she was interviewed by Gregg Shapiro of Gay & Lesbian Times magazine.

Awards and honors

An asterisk indicates that the year is that of release.
Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes
1989*SplitFloydTrio, with Michael Arnopol, Mark Walker
1991A Distortion of LoveAntillesWith Wolfgang Muthspiel, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, Carla White and Big Kahuna
1994Café BluePremonitionWith John McLean, Michael Arnopol, Mark Walker
1998Modern CoolPremonitionWith John McLean, Michael Arnopol, Mark Walker, Dave Douglas, Jeff Stitely, Choral Thunder Vocal Choir
1999CompanionPremonitionWith John McLean, Michael Arnopol, Eric Montzka, Ruben P. Alvarez ; Jason Narducy added on one track
2000*NightclubPremonition/Blue NoteWith Marc Johnson and Michael Arnopol, Adam Nussbaum and Adam Cruz, Charlie Hunter
2002*VersePremonition/Blue NoteMost tracks quartet, with Dave Douglas, Neal Alger, Michael Arnopol, Joey Baron ; one track quartet with Eric Montzka replacing Baron; one track with Cliff Colnot String Ensemble added
2004*Live: A Fortnight in FranceBlue NoteQuartet, with Neal Alger, Michael Arnapol, Eric Montzka
2006*MythologiesBlue NoteMost tracks quartet, with Neal Alger, Michael Arnapol, Eric Montzka ; some tracks with Jim Gailloreto added; some tracks with various vocalists added
2008*The Cole Porter MixBlue NoteMost tracks quartet, with Neal Alger, Michael Arnopol, Eric Montzka ; some tracks quintet, with Chris Potter added; some tracks quartet with Alger, Arnopol, Nate Smith
2010Live in ConcertFloydDuo, with Kenny Werner ; in concert
2013*SmashConcord Jazz-
2019HigherArtistShareRecording of song cycle "Angels, Birds and I…"

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