A Life in Jazz

Gwen Thompkins, host of public radio’s Music Inside Out and contributor to A Life in Jazz, will host an event to celebrate the launch of the new illustrated edition of Danny Barker’s autobiography. An elder statesman of jazz and the man credited with saving New Orleans’ brass band tradition, Danny Barker (1909–1994) spent more than sixty years as a working musician, appearing on more than a thousand recordings and penning dozens of original songs. His autobiography represents decades of work during which he wrote the intertwined stories of his life and music. The program includes interviews and commentary with special guests, like Alyn Shipton, editor of the original 1986 publication, and musicians who played with Barker or were influenced by his style. 6 pm–8:30 pm at The Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal Street. hnoc.org.