Guy Barker in Conversation (Part 1/2)
Guy Barker discusses his wide-ranging life in music with Jon Tolansky. In this the first of two programmes they explore the classical and jazz inspirations and influences in his early years and his rise to fame as a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, sideman, accompanist, arranger, and composer. He recalls reaching a defining moment when he was compelled to devote himself more exclusively to composition on a new broad scale.
Guy Barker’s diverse career has ranged from virtuoso jazz trumpeter and bandleader to composer and arranger of jazz, classical, theatre, music-theatre, film, and radio and television scores. He has in addition to recording many solo albums collaborated with musicians and performers such as Gil Evans, Ornette Coleman, Quincy Jones, John Dankworth, Carla Bley, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Sting, Kurt Elling, Paloma Faith, Patti Austin, Georgie Fame, Jamie Cullen, Boy George, Lesley Garratt, Willard White, and Alison Balsom.
He has conducted his compositions and arrangements with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Britten Sinfonia, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the RTE Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Among his original compositions and arrangements are, the Kind of Blue Orchestral Suite, the Amadeus Project inspired by Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and music for the films The Talented Mr Ripley and the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
Presented and produced by Jon Tolansky
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 4th July, 6pm-7pm