Danny Barker
Daniel Moses Barker (January 13, 1909 – March 13, 1994) was an American jazz musician, vocalist, and author from New Orleans. He was a rhythm guitarist for Cab Calloway, Lucky Millinder and Benny Carter during the 1930s.
Danny Barker | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | January 13, 1909 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | March 13, 1994 (aged 85) New Orleans, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, blues, zydeco |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, vocalist |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele |
One of Barker's earliest teachers in New Orleans was fellow banjoist Emanuel Sayles, with whom he recorded. Throughout his career, he played with Jelly Roll Morton, Baby Dodds, James P. Johnson, Sidney Bechet, Mezz Mezzrow, and Red Allen. He also toured and recorded with his wife, singer Blue Lu Barker. From the 1960s, Barker's work with the Fairview Baptist Church Brass Band was pivotal in ensuring the longevity of jazz in New Orleans, producing generations of new talent, including Wynton and Branford Marsalis who played in the band as youths.