Barbara Morrison's Final Blues Album Released

Jazz and Blues icon releases her final album she was creating when she passed in March 2022.

By: Sep. 21, 2023
Barbara Morrison's Final Blues Album Released

Legendary Jazz and Blues singer Barbara Morrison’s final album titled BLUES MAMA! is released into all online streaming stores. The long time Los Angeles resident died March 16, 2022 while working on this album recording with Producer David Longoria and an all-star blues ensemble The Legacy.

“The world lost one of Jazz and Blues’ music icons of our time, but it’s wonderful to know her lifetime of creativity is left behind for millions to enjoy and preserve in history” Longoria said adding, “she will be missed for her amazing talents as well as for her beautiful spirit.”

David Longoria is a multi awards winning and Grammys Nominated music producer and artist known for his hits in jazz, dance and other genres. He met Barbara Morrison in 2018 when he featured her singing on his album MOOD on the classic jazz song “Body And Soul”. “We became friends instantly when I saw her beautiful spirit and heard her amazing voice!” Longoria explains. This collaboration won the 2019 Hollywood Music In Media Best Jazz award.

The new release is a 15 song album including blues classics she had become known for
delivering in her unmistakable authentic and unique style, The title song “Blues Mama!” was written for her for the album by David Longoria.

A second original song for the collection was written by Longoria and iconic songwriter Carol Connors titled “Gotta Get To You”. Miss Connors is best known for penning the classic “With You I’m Born Again” with David Shire as well as “Gonna Fly Now” with Bill Conti as the theme for the movie Rocky and all the sequels.

The song is sung on the album by David Longoria as Miss Morrison passed away before she was able to record the vocals.

“Barbara loved the song and she told me she loved the way I had performed it on the demo the demo for her to learn so I decided to include it as a bonus track on her album as a tribute to her and her legacy,“ He explains.

Three of the album’s tracks are special excerpts from the title song with playful renditions in old blues styles. and titled Interludes and a Postlude.

Miss Morrison performed for more than 50 years in concerts, blues clubs and Jazz and Blues festivals the world over. A notable festival in Montreal, Switzerland brought together on stage Blues Guitar legend Buddy Guy with Barbara Morrison and Carlos Santana for an unforgettable performance in July 2004. Over the course of her career she performed with many greats of Jazz and Blues – including Stevie Wonder, Dizzy Gillespie, Chaka Kahn, Ray Charles, Etta James, Tony Bennett and many more.

In 2019 Miss Morrison created the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park, California (a section of Los Angeles) where it provides a venue for performers of all ages and all cultures, promoting music and dance. The City of Los Angeles named the intersection in front of her venue Barbara Morrison Square in her honor in 2022.

Weighing in on her legacy Carol Connors said “The first time I heard Barbara Morrison’s jazz interpretation of my song “With you I’m Born Again” I felt like I had been born again… I had never heard it like she sang it. And the first thing I did after I picked myself off the floor, was call David Shire and he called me back after he picked himself off the floor. She had done us proud! And proud I am to have written with David Longoria ‘Gotta Get To You’ for her album.”

Dionne Warwick added her feelings for Barbara Morrison and her legacy: “She gave me a complete lesson on how the blues was and should be sung… Her last recording should be considered for a Grammy without giving it a second thought!”

Listen to the new album here:






RELATED STORIES - Music

1
The Cult Release 40th Anniversary Dreamtime Vinyl Photo
The Cult Release 40th Anniversary 'Dreamtime' Vinyl

The Cult celebrates the 40th anniversary of 'Dreamtime' with a vinyl release on Feb. 23 via Beggars Banquet. Originally released in 1984, following the band's evolution from the Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and then simply The Cult, Dreamtime finds the outfit featuring Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, pivoting from their goth and punk roots.

2
Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan to Headline Railbird Music Festival 2024 Photo
Chris Stapleton and Noah Kahan to Headline Railbird Music Festival 2024

Over 30 artists across three stages including Hozier, Turnpike Troubadours, Counting Crows, Lord Huron, Wynonna Judd, Dwight Yoakam, and Elle King will transform the historical race track grounds into an unforgettable 2-Days of world-class music and curated bourbon and equine experiences that celebrate the spirit of Kentucky.

3
Cold Hart Shares Melancholic Post-Punk Single TSOM Photo
Cold Hart Shares Melancholic Post-Punk Single 'TSOM'

Cold Hart got his start twisting the pop punk and metal songs that soundtracked his youth into languid hip hop-tracks. Continuing on this new sonic journey, he shares his nostalgia fueled lofi post-punk single “TSOM” produced by Andrew Dawson (Kid Cudi, Linkin Park, Code Orange) and longtime collaborator YAWNS (GOTHBOICLIQUE). 

4
Ivan Llanes Shares Respira Y Siente From New Album Photo
Ivan Llanes Shares 'Respira Y Siente' From New Album

In an ever-expanding and increasingly globalized music industry, Cuban-American percussionist and vocalist Ivan Llanes stands out as one of the most exciting musicians of his generation. Ivan Llanes will release his debut LP, La Vida Misma, via Vydia and shares 'Respira y Siente' to accompany the announcement.  

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL