Barbara Carroll has long been regarded as one of the jazz world's most unique musicians. She began playing piano at age five in her native Worcester, Massachusetts with classical training from age eight through to the New England Conservatory of Music. Concurrent with her training, she developed a fervent interest in jazz improvisation and set her sights on a career as a jazz pianist.
With early influences such as Nat Cole, Teddy Wilson, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker, noted jazz critic Leonard Feather called her "the first girt to play bop piano" in an era that encouraged only a handful of female musicians. Her New York debut at the Downbeat Club on legendary 52nd Street was the beginning of an impressive and diverse musical career that has encompassed appearing on Broadway with her trio in Rodger's and Hammerstein's "Me and Juliet" to appearances in concert halls, jazz clubs, on major TV shows, and festival stages throughout the world with many of the greatest figures in jazz, including Art Tatum, Billie Holiday, Sylvia Syms, and Tony Bennett.
She has made over thirty recordings on labels such as Atlantic, RCA Victor, Verve, Blue Note and DRG with an array of jazz luminaries that includes Art Farmer, Jay Leonhart, Claudio Roditi, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli and Randy Sandke. Ms. Carroll has performed for President and Ms. Clinton at the White House and in 2002 was presented a lifetime achievement award by The Mary Lou Williiams Women in Jazz Award at The Kennedy Center in Washington. D.C..
Always an important part of New York nightlife, Barbara Carroll established a now legendary twenty-five year residency at Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle and has recently completed an engagement at Birdland and is embarking on her second year of "Sundays in New York" at the Algonquin Hotel's historic Oak Room. |
