LEIGH BARKER
Bassist, bandleader, composer (and sometime tuba player) Leigh Barker arrived in Paris in 2016 to set up a new European base for his music, family and diverse projects. Over the past twenty years Barker has appeared at venues and events such as the Sydney Opera House, Jazz at Lincoln Center, ‘Frankie 100’ in New York and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Festival, establishing himself worldwide as a first call sideman and award winning band leader. Accompanying artists as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Gordon Webster, the Hot Jazz Alliance and Sarah McKenzie, Leigh found living in Australia was limiting his ability to tour full time.
After some time off to establish himself on the Paris scene, as well as siginificant touring with artists such as Gordon Webster, the Avalon Jazz Band and Duved Dunayevsky, Barker formed a ‘European Edition’ of his long-running band, extending the excellent body of work from his eight full length album releases and more than ten years of touring. Happily he was also able to include on the majority of projects the singer and violinist from his group since 2011, Heather Stewart.
Post pandemic Leigh Barker released the double album PARIS / MELBOURNE featuring both french and australian musicians, and restarted touring around France and Europe. For latest shows please click through to Heather Stewart’s website:
hezzjazz.com/shows
LEIGH BARKER BAND LATEST ALBUM(S!):
December 2020 saw the release of the new DOUBLE album - featuring groups from both Paris, France (Leigh’s current home) and Melbourne, Australia, where he spent his formative years.
Click above on the 'BUY MUSIC' link to purchase.
Featured in these clips are the songs "You Are My Lucky Star" and the full european lineup: The "PARIS" session recorded, “mixed” and mastered by Simon Oriot using ONE SINGLE MICROPHONE the french made “Melodium 42B” recorded November 2019 in Paris, edited and mastered in Nort-sur-Erdre in May 2020 (en plein confinement!!).
Leigh Barker – Contrebasse Heather Stewart – Chant et Violon Bastien Brison – Piano David Grebil – Batterie Romain Vuillemin – Guitare et Banjo Bastien Weeger – Clarinette et Saxophone Alto Noe Codjia – Trompette Gilles Repond-Quint - Trombone
To the right, you will find the clip for the “MELBOURNE” disc, featuring “The Lonely One In This Town” and the full Australian band playing live in 2018.
The MELBOURNE session was recorded live at the 'Jazz Lab' in Brunswick Victoria May 2018 by staff and students of the RMIT recording technology department. Mixed by Leigh Barker and Greg Stott at 'HiHat Studios' in Canberra in 2019 and 2020 and mastered by Simon Oriot in Nort-sur-Erdre November 2020.
Leigh Barker – Double Bass Heather Stewart – Violin and voice Donald Stewart – Trombone Ben Harrison – Trumpet / Cornet Jason Downes – Clarinet and Alto Saxophone John Scurry – Guitar and Banjo Matt Boden – Piano Sam Young - Drums
WE HAD A GREAT AUSTRALIAN TOUR IN NOV / DEC 2022 !
AUSTRALIA TOUR DATES:
Thursday, November 17 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band featuring Heather Stewart - ALBUM LAUNCH - Paris/Melbourne
Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne, Victoria
Friday, November 18 @ 8:30PM LAST TICKETS NOW
Heather Stewart Strings Swing
Paris Cat Jazz Club, Melbourne, Victoria
Saturday, November 19 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Big Swing Dance - 1929 Studios
Melbourne, Australia
Sunday, November 20 @ 5:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Port Lonsdale, Australia
Wednesday, November 23 @ 6:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Sydney Speakeasy Gig - secret location - to be announced!
Sydney, Australia
Thursday, November 24 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Jumptown Swing social dance, Canberra, Australia
Friday, November 25 @ 8:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Cootamundra Arts Centre, Cootamundra, NSW
Saturday, November 26 @ 8:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Smith's Alternative Bookshop, Canberra ACT 2601
Sunday, November 27 @ 2:00PM — 5:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Southern Highlands, Highlands Golfclub, Mittagong, NSW
Monday, November 28 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
COMA - Adelaide, SA
Tuesday, November 29 @ 7:30PM — 10:15PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Southern Jazz Club, Adelaide, SA
Wednesday, November 30 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Eight Count Swing Dance, Adelaide, SA
Thursday, December 1 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
TBA, Hobart, Tasmania
Friday, December 2 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
TBA, Hobart, Tasmania
Saturday, December 3 @ 7:00PM
The Leigh Barker Band featuring Heather Stewart - Australian Tour
Uniting Church of Echuca, Echuca, VIC
Tickets at the door
Sunday, December 4 @ 3:00PM
Heather Stewart with The Leigh Barker Band - Australian Tour
Womboota Hall - School of Arts, Womboota NSW 2731
Tickets at the door
Friday, December 9 @ 7:00PM
Classic Cinema Elsternwick
Saturday, December 10 @ 8:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Victorian Jazz Club, Clayton
Sunday, December 11 @ 1:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Ballarat Jazz Club, Ballarat
Saturday, December 17 @ 7:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
Red Door - Moruya, Moruya, NSW
Sunday, December 18 @ 5:00PM
Leigh Barker Band - Paris/Melbourne album tour
INVITATION ONLY- Bisdee Street House Party!
For detailed concert information and booking links visit website: