BARBARA THOMPSON - Born 27th July 1944 ; Died 9th July 2022
An Obituary & Appreciation by Nick Lea
Barbara Thompson was one of the UKs finest musicians, in any genre. In a career that spanned six decades, she could be heard playing straight ahead jazz in the sixties with Don Rendell along with more experimental music with Neil Ardley and Ian Carr. She was also a long standing member of the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble and also leading her own bands Jubiaba and Paraphernalia. While the music these bands encompassed was very different, Barbara Thompson was always able to bring her own indomitable spirit and personality to whatever setting she found herself. Through her playing in the bands led by Dave Gelly and Don Rendell, and the quintet she co-led with Art Themen, she would place herself next to strong players from who she believed that she could learn and never thinking that they might be also learning from her.
Never one to shy away from a musical challenge or environment, she always gave her all. This experience very quickly honed her musical vocabulary, and helped her forge her own unique sound on each of her chosen instruments. Whether playing tenor, alto or soprano saxophone she had her own voice of each, and through her compositions was developing a very individual approach and relationship to each. This is another strong factor that was ever present in Barbara's music, the desire to perform her own compositions. This decision would drive Barbara throughout her career, and produce much wonderful music for Paraphernalia along with commissions to write for classical ensembles.
My first encounter with Barbara's music was with the early Paraphernalia albums, and I had the opportunity to hear the band live. The venue was the student union in Cardiff in 1983, I was just seventeen years old and just remember being captivated by the music. As good as the albums were, it was an altogether different experience . The music took on a whole new dimension, familiar from the records but taking on a new dimension through Barbara's incredible stage presence, and the way in which she communicated with her music. I was also fortunate enough to briefly meet Barbara and tell her how much I'd enjoyed the concert while she signed the album that I'd purchased. From then on, I was a regular attendee at Paraphernalia concerts in the Principality and whenever I had the opportunity to catch a few words, and of course buy some albums.
Over the years since then I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Barbara for Jazz Views and also review some of her recordings. Always gracious and incredibly modest abut her achievements it was always a pleasure whenever I paths crossed. Barbara always came across with a determined can do attitude and it is easy to forget that when her career began in the early 1960's that the music industry was a difficult place for women to break through and get the recognition and opportunities that their talent deserves. With her grit and determination she has helped pave the way for future generations of women to present their music on an international stage.
In November 2020 she published her autobiography, Journey To A Destination Unknown, recounting her incredible career but it is with her music that her story is most vividly portrayed. She has left a rich legacy of music, much of it recorded at her home studio with her late husband Jon Hiseman, and which captures the passion and inquisitive spirit of a truly original artist.
Barbara Thompson was one of the UKs finest musicians, in any genre. In a career that spanned six decades, she could be heard playing straight ahead jazz in the sixties with Don Rendell along with more experimental music with Neil Ardley and Ian Carr. She was also a long standing member of the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble and also leading her own bands Jubiaba and Paraphernalia. While the music these bands encompassed was very different, Barbara Thompson was always able to bring her own indomitable spirit and personality to whatever setting she found herself. Through her playing in the bands led by Dave Gelly and Don Rendell, and the quintet she co-led with Art Themen, she would place herself next to strong players from who she believed that she could learn and never thinking that they might be also learning from her.
Never one to shy away from a musical challenge or environment, she always gave her all. This experience very quickly honed her musical vocabulary, and helped her forge her own unique sound on each of her chosen instruments. Whether playing tenor, alto or soprano saxophone she had her own voice of each, and through her compositions was developing a very individual approach and relationship to each. This is another strong factor that was ever present in Barbara's music, the desire to perform her own compositions. This decision would drive Barbara throughout her career, and produce much wonderful music for Paraphernalia along with commissions to write for classical ensembles.
My first encounter with Barbara's music was with the early Paraphernalia albums, and I had the opportunity to hear the band live. The venue was the student union in Cardiff in 1983, I was just seventeen years old and just remember being captivated by the music. As good as the albums were, it was an altogether different experience . The music took on a whole new dimension, familiar from the records but taking on a new dimension through Barbara's incredible stage presence, and the way in which she communicated with her music. I was also fortunate enough to briefly meet Barbara and tell her how much I'd enjoyed the concert while she signed the album that I'd purchased. From then on, I was a regular attendee at Paraphernalia concerts in the Principality and whenever I had the opportunity to catch a few words, and of course buy some albums.
Over the years since then I have been extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Barbara for Jazz Views and also review some of her recordings. Always gracious and incredibly modest abut her achievements it was always a pleasure whenever I paths crossed. Barbara always came across with a determined can do attitude and it is easy to forget that when her career began in the early 1960's that the music industry was a difficult place for women to break through and get the recognition and opportunities that their talent deserves. With her grit and determination she has helped pave the way for future generations of women to present their music on an international stage.
In November 2020 she published her autobiography, Journey To A Destination Unknown, recounting her incredible career but it is with her music that her story is most vividly portrayed. She has left a rich legacy of music, much of it recorded at her home studio with her late husband Jon Hiseman, and which captures the passion and inquisitive spirit of a truly original artist.
