Historic New Orleans Collection Resurrects “A Life in Jazz”

In December, The Historic New Orleans Collection released a new illustrated edition of “A Life in Jazz” by Danny Barker (1909–1994). Originally published in 1986 and featuring Barker’s wry and rollicking writing style, the memoir chronicles his 60-year career as a banjoist, guitarist and songwriter.

Barker toured with Cab Calloway, performed with Dizzy Gillespie, appeared on more than 1,000 recordings, and penned dozens of songs. He is also credited with saving New Orleans’s brass band tradition.

This volume features 115 images, a complete discography, and a previously unpublished song catalog, and an introduction by journalist Gwen Thompkins.

– Teresa Devlin, The Historic New Orleans Collection