Dan Barnett’s biographical playlist

Singer, Trombonist, band-leader, legend. Dan Barnett certainly knows how to swing — if you’ve been to any of his shows, or listened to any of his albums, you know this to be true. His take on the classic jazz repertoire is delightful, uplifting, elegant, and fun. He sings like your best mate reminding you of the great times you’ve had together, plays with the energy of a caffeinated kangaroo, and takes the audience on a journey like a suave haunted-train driver. In this particular segment, he chooses some tunes that left an imprint on his life.

What was the first album or single you ever acquired?

Believe it or not it was a single my cousin gave me for Christmas of AC/DC’s Dirty Deeds (done dirt cheap). Album-wise, I think was given a “kings of swing” album which I played relentlessly in my mid teens.

What was the most recent album or track that you purchased?

Lately I’ve been getting into some Cuban music and being going through Alain Perez‘s albums; I also purchased Charlie and the Tropicales from the wonderful Trombonist Charlie Halloran.

Which album should be on everyone’s collection?

I would say something of Louis Armstrong, maybe Louis plays WC Handy.

Which tune best encapsulates your idea of jazz?

So difficult! I just love the tune ‘Skylark’ by Hoagy Carmichael, I never ever get sick of it and there is so much yo can do with it.

Which tune reminds you of the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Now that’s a tough one! As you can imagine I’ve been to many concerts… Wow, a hard one! I’ll give you a few: ‘Tutu‘ reminds me of when I saw Miles; or maybe hearing Sarah Vaughan sing ‘Send in the clowns’, a song I don’t love but hearing her do it was very special; or maybe Mark Murphy singing ‘You don’t know what love is‘; or maybe James Brown’s ‘The Payback‘ or Prince’s ‘The most beautiful girl in the world‘ or James Greening‘s ‘Parallel lines’ or maybe ‘Pastilla de Menta’ by Havana D’Primera in Cuba, Tchaikovsky’s 2nd Symphony in Moscow… Aaahhhh! Too many gigs.

Which tune reminds you of your favourite journey?

I remember listening to Donny Hathaway’s ‘A song for you’ on a long road trip whilst touring in Brazil — I must have listened to it 20 – 30 times on that trip and played it to everyone on the bus.

Which tune reminds you of your most important rite of passage?

‘I’m getting sentimental over you’ — the song was such a big deal for me; I guess in some ways it still is.

Which tune best describes your relationship to your loved ones?

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but my wife and I had a great belly laugh about this question. Thanks for asking, but I’ll keep that one to myself.

If your life was to become a movie…

…which tune would be heard on the opening credits?

‘Aguas de Marco’.

…which would be on the end credits?

Let’s go with ‘Skylark‘ again.

…which would be on the action scene?

‘I will survive’ – I had my first dance with my wife to that in Paris; now, that was some action.

…which would be on the love scene?

Duke Ellington’s The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse; the whole album.

Which tune do you wish you had written yourself?

It’s gotta be a huge hit, so I can continue playing Jazz till the money runs out. ‘White Christmas’ — that’s the biggest selling song of all time.

Which tune do you wish had been written about you?

I didn’t have to wish — I am lucky enough to have had a song or two written about me, but you will have to find them.

Which tune was the first you put on your next set list?

Well, the next set list is this Thursday; I’m definitely going to play Jobim’s ‘Dindi’ — I have a beautiful arrangement done for me by the great Kelly Ottaway. It’ll be on my forthcoming 10th album.