Review by Stanley Naftaly: Jazz Straight Ahead, KCSB-FM
On Sunday, January 12th, One of the world’s most delightful and endearing jazz masters held forth for the Santa Barbara Jazz Society in front of a full-house at SOhO in downtown Santa Barbara.
It took no more than 90 seconds for Barbara Morrison to charm the audience and put every one of them, including your writer, snugly in her pocket. Morrison is one of the most talented and skilled jazz vocalists working today. When you add to this that she’s joyful in her performance and listening to her amounts to a graduate seminar in the music’s history, without the homework, you begin to see what a treasure she is.
Morrison’s had a long and colorful career and the stories she tells would fill an exciting book. Names like Charlie Parker, Joe Williams, Leonard Feather, and Dinah Washington are sprinkled liberally throughout them.
As to her instrument, whether she’s singing Jazz, Blues or R&B, her timing and intonation are virtually flawless and the subtle perfection of her phrasing evokes Louis Armstrong. This is a seasoned professional and a lovely human being.
Like the other greats, everything she does, regardless of tempo, and all across the emotional spectrum, comes from a calm center inside her.
She is a living master, and there aren’t very many of them still performing.
Review by Mark McDonald, photos by Mark McDonald
On Sunday January 12, 2014 the Santa Barbara Jazz Society hosted illustrious jazz/blues vocalist, Barbara Morrison at SOhO Music Club, backed by the current Jazz Society president, Ian Bernard on piano, Richard Simon – bass, and Paul Kriebich on drums. Ms. Morrison sang a tribute presentation to Dinah Washington with What a Difference a Day Makes, Teach Me Tonight, and I Wanna Be Loved.
She gave a unique interpretation of the Percy Mayfield composition, Hit the Road Jack, in punctuating vocals, rang out a throaty Down Home Blues waving a large white kerchief, and vocalized a trombone. Between songs she added humorous highlight stories from her life, including the time as a young singer, she was first introduced to Etta James back stage as “the Queen of Jazz” which embarrassed her. Her idol, Ms. James, turned around, took the young lady’s hand, and said, “Hello Queen.” There was standing room only at the start of the early afternoon show; she had sold out the house as she did last year. Between sets she reigned with Queenly style on the sunny, SOhO patio, signing CD’s, posing for pictures with her many fans. and passing out flyers for her upcoming California “Divine Jazz Cruise.”
With an endearing presence, a bright shining delivery, and queen-like vocals, she wowed the crowd.