A Tribute to Barbara Morrison: Legendary Performer and Respected Educator. Legendary Jazz Singer, Barbara Morrison has passed away. Barbara Morrison died on March 16, 2022 at the age of 72. In 1986, Morrison toured with the Philip Morris Superband, completing a 14-city one-month tour of Canada, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, playing with jazz organist Jimmy Smith.
Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and raised in Romulus, Michigan, BARBARA MORRISON recorded her first appearance for radio in Detroit at the age of 10. Well-known in the Los Angeles area for her duo and trio dates, Morrison also tours extensively, blazing a trail as a jazz and blues legend in her own right across the continental United States, Western Europe, the Far East, and “Down Under,” wowing audiences with her band.
Everyone has a story about Barbara Morrison. The L.A. legend was a force unto herself—a powerhouse interpreter of the blues, a jazz singer equal parts suave and sonorous, a scintillating performer who held audiences in thrall.
A pillar in her LA community, singer Barbara Morrison leaves behind a deep legacy of song, creativity, and community empowerment.
Barbara Morrison, a vocalist and adjunct associate professor at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, died March 16 from cardiovascular disease. She was 72.
Los Angeles-based jazz and blues vocalist Barbara Morrison is just getting started. The three-time Grammy-nominated performer and record producer could be resting on the laurels of a more-than-60-year career that has had her appearing with Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, Etta James, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Johnny Otis, Terence Blanchard, Nancy Wilson, Mel Tormé, Keb’ Mo, and more.
LOS ANGELES — A Leimert Park intersection was dedicated Saturday, Sept. 10, as Barbara Morrison Square in honor of the late, legendary jazz singer —coinciding with the anniversary of her birth and the inaugural edition of the Barbara Morrison Jazz & Blues Music Festival.
Jazz singer Barbara Morrison sings in 2011 at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- International Jazz Day has a global reach thanks to the United Nations establishment of the holiday, but here in Los Angeles, the musical genre’s local impact has transformed the life of one very dedicated singer.
The singer founded L.A.'s Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center and California Jazz & Blues Museum.
Copyright © 2025 The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by