Biography
It was Ray Charles who told the management at ABC Paramount Records to sign Barbara to a recording contract in 1958 when Barbara was 12-years-old. Known then as Barbara Lyons, she recorded several 45’s, including “Dear Buddy”, one of the first songs written by Carole King. She also recorded a children’s album with Chubby Jackson, Woody Herman’s bass player.
As a teenager, Barbara recorded and performed for a few years when she decided to pursue an education and earn two master’s degrees. In 1995, after raising a family, Barbara decided to return to her first love…singing good music. She recorded 2 CDs from1996 to 2005, performed at venues in the USA and also graced stages in Vietnam and Cuba.
Barbara’s 2013 CD, “Love Lost and Found”, recorded with John diMartino, has received rave reviews. A tribute to Jimmy Van Heusen, her 2015 CD, “Come Dance With Me” features John diMartino (Piano, Musical Director), along with guitarist Gene Bertoncini and Nanny Assis (Percussion). Saxophonist Houston Person, Eubie Blake Jazz Award winner, was featured.
Two-time Grammy winner Boris Kozlov (Bassist) accompanied Barbara on both her 2013 and her 2015 CDs.
In December 2015, Barbara performed at the Havana Cuba International Jazz festival, accompanied by Cuban musicians under the Direction of acclaimed musical artist Odalys Sanchez.
Prior to the recent Covid Pandemic, Barbara’s project involved performing at Correctional Facilities. In March 2016, Barbara and her trio received an overwhelming response from the inmates at Attica CF, followed by concerts at Groveland CF and Wende CF, all in Western NY State. Barbara is hoping to continue these performances once she is permitted to do so.
Barbara says….”These prison concerts are the highlight of my career”.
Barbara's Electronic Press Kit
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My latest project, “COME DANCE WITH ME” is a tribute to Jimmy Van Heusen, who wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Jimmy was a favorite composer of both Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, who recorded more than 70 of his songs.
My backup on this CD were John DiMartino (Piano and Music Director), Houston Person (Saxophone), Shinnosuke Takahashi (Drums), Gene Bertoncini (Guitar), Nanny Assis (Percussion) and 2-time Grammy Award winner Boris Kozlov (Bass).
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