Barbara Shorts and Blue Jazz feature the powerful voice and dynamic stage presence of Barbara Ann Shorts, who has wowed audiences around the world over the course of her 75 years. Raised in the gospel church, she was instrumental in the creation of the venerable group the Gospel Soul Children, and she earned a music education degree from Southern University.
One Mo' Time was her first real professional role, and it launched a multi-decade international career: a three-year stint as Big Bertha Williams in the Vernel Bagneris musical, followed by its New York sequel Further Mo. As she approached her 70s, Shorts regained the stage with renewed energy, performing in Le Petit Théâtre's gospel musical Crowns and releasing an original tune, "Love on the Run."
She represents, in WWOZ's words, the old school sisterhood of New Orleans vocalists — steeped in church gospel, raised on R&B and street-corner doo-wop, and singing the blues from experience. She has performed with Shannon Powell's Traditional Allstar Band at Jazz Fest, played French Quarter Festival, and appears regularly in the Jazz Foundation of America's concert series at the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
She is simply New Orleans music personified.
New Orleans Jazz Museum
