George Buck (1928-2013) had quite a career as the head of GHB and Jazzology Records (both of which he founded) and other labels such as Audiophile, Circle, and Progressive that he acquired along the way. During his last 60 years, Buck recorded and produced hundreds of records of New Orleans jazz and other music that he loved, and was also a force in getting traditional jazz on the radio. Fortunately, since his death, his labels have continued to record new music and make available gems from the vaults.
Banjoist, guitarist, singer, lyricist and hip storyteller Danny Barker (1909-1994) had a very interesting life. Born in New Orleans, he was playing on the streets with a kid’s band when he was very young. In 1927 when he was eighteen, he married thirteen-year old Louisa Dupont who as a singer became known as Blue Lu Barker. Their marriage lasted until his death 67 years later.
In 1930 Barker moved to New York where as a guitarist he worked with Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, James P. Johnson, Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter and the Cab Calloway Orchestra (1939-46). He not only recorded with Blue Lu Barker starting in 1938-39 but wrote the lyrics to several of her songs including the hit “Don’t You Feel Me Leg.”
In the 1940s Barker began playing the banjo again, was part of the Dixieland revival, and recorded with Bunk Johnson. In the 1950s he played Dixieland in New
