Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Barbara Paris was born on October 2, 1954 in Denver, Colorado and from an early age listened to Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington, Mel Torme and Frank Sinatra. Constantly listening to the radio she memorized every song she heard. She sang with her church choir, played violin, took piano lessons and began playing the guitar at 15. She started out singing folk music but gravitated to jazz.

After high school graduation at 16, she moved to Boulder, Colorado and began a successful hairdresser career. However, it was on vacation in St. Thomas that she met Louis Armstrong veteran Eddie Shu and subsequent encouragement led her to the stage.

Barbara made her debut as a jazz singer while in Paris, France. There an acquaintance told her about Denver resident pianist Joe Bonner and upon her return tracked him down and a 23 year musical partnership commenced. She has worked with Freddie Hubbard, Junior Mance, Joe Pass, and recorded with Nancy Wilson’s rhythm section, pianist Llew Matthews, bassist John B. Williams and drummer Roy McCurdy, among numerous others.

Vocalist Barbara Paris continues to pursue performing, composing, recording, and clinics.

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