Chris Barber 1959-1960

Double CD for the price of one. This continues our series 'year' compilations by leading Traditional Jazz Bands. By 1959 Chris Barber's Jazz Band with UK's leading Trad band and the Trad Boom was just starting. At the time Barber had no leading rivals: Acker Bilk was just emerging onto the scene and Kenny Ball had only just formed his band. Disc 1 is made up mainly of the first LP the Barber band made for EMI's Lansdowne Jazz Series. It ends with three tracks Chris Barber made in the USA with former members of the classic Clarence Williams band of the 1920s. Disc 2 includes a set of EPs featuring band members: one for Monty Sunshine, one for Ottilie Patterson and one for Pat Halcox. There are four previously unissued tracks on the compilation including one track made for promotional purposes for Prestige saucepans! The Barber band's recordings during the 1950s had been prolific and this would continue for another few years.