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Inspired by the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Chris formed his first Barber New Orleans Band in 1949 at the age of nineteen. In 1953, along with Monty Sunshine and Lonnie Donegan, he joined forces with Ken Colyer. Then, with the replacement of Colyer by Pat Halcox, Ken Colyer's Jazzmen became Chris Barber's Jazz Band in 1954 and has been one of Europe's most successful traditional jazz bands ever since. Chris Barber leads his 10-piece band, with its 7-strong front line, playing a wide selection of his favourite music: from his roots in New Orleans style in "Bourbon Street Parade" (still his signature tune) to the early music of Duke Ellington ("Black & Tan Fantasy" and "Jubilee Stomp").... and Sidney Bechet ("Petite Fleur") and further on to blues by Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee ("Cornbread, Peas and Black Molasses") on to soulful blues like Miles Davis' "All Blues" and probably back to "When the Saints"! The Big Chris Barber Band website.