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Barbara King

Reigniting tradition is what Barbara King is all about. This Brooklyn, New York native is lighting the path for a new generation of fans by advancing the confluence of jazz and inspirational music. Barbara’s noteworthy performances of popular standards and a vast selection of original compositions have earned her critical acclaim. This acclaim has led her to an aptly named, debut CD, Perfect Timing. Ms. King began her career at the age of seven singing in church and performing in school plays. She sang with the noted Vassar College Choir and toured the U.S., which gave her an opportunity to tinker with melodies and lyrics of classic and popular tunes. After graduation from Vassar, King enrolled in the Brooklyn Music School, got herself a vocal coach and kicked her career into high gear.

Her debut release, Perfect Timing on CCCMG Records, marks the first outing of Barbara King. Barbara presents splendid interpretations of some standards and four life-affirming, original tracks: Miracles, Overtaken, Perfect Timing and Your Smile. The CD includes such well-known tunes as Ribbon in the Sky, Forever Young, I Say A Little Prayer, and Let It Be. King is joined by several jazz luminaries—Cecil Bridgewater, Arturo O’Farrill, Carl Allen, Rodney Jones and Dave Valentin. Perfect Timing is pure musical elegance and well worth a listen.

Barbara has captivated audiences in Greece, Japan, Dubai, Eastern Europe, Jamaica and New York City. She has had appearances on Weekend Today in New York, Fox and Friends Weekend on the Fox News Channel, has toured with the Mickey Roker Trio, the Craig Bailey Sextet and has been a standout at the Cape May Jazz Festival. Notable venues where she has performed include Birdland, The Iridium, The Water Club, Sweet Rhythm, Tavern on the Green, Jazz Standard, The Kitano, Philadelphia’s Chris’ Jazz Café, and was a regular at The Lenox Lounge. She has also been invited twice to perform at the Smithsonian Institute’s Anacostia Museum – giving a presentation on “The Ladies of Jazz” and a “Tribute to Sarah Vaughan”. In addition Barbara has appeared with legends Rufus Reid, Kirk Whalum, Akira Tana, Onaje Alan Gumbs, with pop legend, Patti Labelle and gospel icon, Kirk Franklin. Barbara also was a featured vocalist on Tana Reid’s CD, Back to Front along with Grady Tate, and on Hiro Takada’s piano paean, Portrait in NYC.

"Barbara King is the total body experience: the eyes close to allow your imagination to flow, the head bobs, the feet tap, the mind journeys over the notes and the soul is cradled deep in the arms of contentment.

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Barbara King Debut Perfect Timing

Barbara King Debut Perfect Timing

Source: All About Jazz

Brooklyn, New York native Barbara King hopes that the title of her debut CD carries some truth. Perfect Timing is a strong recording and critics everywhere are becoming aware of her presence prompting Lloyd Sachs of the Chicago-Sun Times to say, “Barbara King's dusky, Sarah Vaughan-like qualities mark her as a talent to watch." On Barbara's CCCMG Records debut release she presents jazz listeners a bevy of outstanding interpretations of standards and four original tracks that affirms her belief and ...

John Gilbert - www.ejazznews.com

Barbara King can sing and there's no two ways about it. This lovely recording consists of 11 inspirational songs and brother are they inspirational. Miss King has a finely textured voice with range and she knows what to do with it. There are various musicians on this CD and all back this superb vocalist with grace and style. I wasn't sure about this effort, but I was more than impressed from the first note to the last. The tunes really swung and now I am convinced that music of this sort done in a jazz vein is so apropos it is just perfect. There is no cacophony here, no silly business, just a fine voice with great cats playing magnificently. I am sure that the powers that be are sitting back wherever they are just smiling and sending down kudos to Barbara King and her band mates for a wonderful recording by a solid performer.

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