Rico Barr

The professional musical career of the multi-faceted Rico Barr began at the age of fourteen with special permission from the Musicians Union due to his under age status. By the age of seventeen he was playing drums with the Ted Herbert Orchestra, one of New England’s top dance bands�"many of whose members went on to play with Woody Herman’s legendary Third Herd. While hardly out of his teens, his drumming could be heard in such diverse settings as the Hampton Beach Concert Orchestra, jazz and show bands, and backing up rock legend, Chuck Berry.

Seeking new musical horizons, Rico began a songwriting and singing career fronting Rico Barr and The American Blues. The Blues members included rock veteran, Harvey Brooks, best known for his work with Buddy Miles and the Electric Flag and Bob Dylan, and producer Harry King, who has produced such notables as Joe Perry of Aerowsmith, Jackson Browne and Englebert Humperdink.

This collaboration led to the album release, Dangerous Curves. Rico’s performance had radio programmers comparing him to both Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. After years as a nonstop club performer, Rico once again changed his course to concentrate on song writing. His songs have been recorded by Carmen Z, Christopher, and the Silver Dollar Band who won a national competition in Nashville performing Rico’s composition, On the Borderline. Rico himself scored a top forty dance club hit with Forbidden Love, recorded in both English and Spanish. This song also appears on CMJ Volume 16 with the Neville Brothers.

Rico has been nominated as swing drummer and vocalist of the year by the National Swing Awards and his CD the “Guide Shuffle” was nominated as swing CD of the year.

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