- after entering your comment, supply your google account so we know who you are and hit "Publish". (If you include your email in the comment, we will make sure to add it to Barbara Ann's mailing list.)
If you have
any photos you'd like added or have any questions, please let us know.
We hope to make this the easiest way to exchange up-to-date news about Barbara Ann.
Dorothy Bender at dbender@gmail.com
Susan Martin at susanmartin4@me.com
Dorothy Bender at dbender@gmail.com
Susan Martin at susanmartin4@me.com
A memory: when Susan and I got married, Kate Kirby officiated and Barbara Ann provided the music and energy that got the celebration off on the right foot. That was such a wonderful wedding gift! Charlie Martin
ReplyDeleteColleen and I went to Lutticken’s for an autumn equinox dinner just to hear Jazzum’s music. Barbara had moved on as a musician from accordion to vocals and it was the first time I had heard her sing. To see and hear the orchestra perform, click "Jazzum Concert, Sep 22, 2012" under "Barbara Ann's Videos". I particularly enjoyed the vocal that begins at 4:45.
ReplyDeleteDearest Barbara Ann,
ReplyDeleteYou're in my thoughts all the time. Sending love and light back to you.
Dorothy
I wish I had had the opportunity to get to know Barbara Ann better. We met a couple of times at Western Music Association shindigs when I was playing accordion with Cowboy Envy. Later, after I became a Foreign Service spouse, I sent her regular postings from various arguably exotic locales and she would intermittently send me updates of her activities. Barbara Ann is a wonderful spirit and a terrific musician and this just sucks.
ReplyDeleteI hope she finds the peace she deserves. Love and light.
Dorothy, this is not only an artistic monument to Barbara, but also a demonstration of the friendship she kindles in most who have known her. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDear Brian,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. It's my honor to gather memories, stories, photos, music about our dear Barbara Ann Barnett. She reached out and I reached in. We're in harmony.
Best,
Dorothy
Hi Barbara Ann,
ReplyDeleteLooking at your blog, I realize I'm a "new" friend (only of 20 years!). I so value our friendship and your friendship with Steve.
I remember being drawn to you in our EMDR training, and the hours later of "practicing" on each other, as we became close to one another. i remember a sad but sweet walk on the beach after you heard of your father's death. Thanks for honoring me with your company.
Of course,-- always the music! As you know I LOVE your voice and the many concerts we enjoyed (one at our home).
I will miss you so much, but I am awed by your presence in dealing with your present situation. You are a model for me, Barbara Ann Thank you,
much much love, Sylvia
Dear all who love Barbara Ann and Barbara Ann herself!
ReplyDeleteA few days before I got a call from Debbie Colbert about Barbara's news, I found the picture of Beau and Barbara Ann 1990 that is posted on this blog. It was so odd to come across it, and yet an immediate sense of connection. Although I am sure that b.a. has touched many, my story with her goes back to 1970 and living in the Psychodrama Commune at 1001 Forest St.
She was my big sister- and awesome goddess.
We traveled many paths together, some crazy times, some sane ones.
Over the years our common ground for contact may have been less, but then there were those postcards, occasional letters and cards and our phone calls back and forth. There was this tribal connection. I feel with all from that time. the original family of choice.
I am wishing you Barbara Ann, your family and friends
--all those that love and admire you--
Love , light, peace, freedom from any anxiety and worry.
I LOVE YOU>
From my heart to yours-
Zorina
Barbara Ann Barnett:
ReplyDeleteOn Monday, April 29th, John Wagner writes:
..... and on Friday drove to Santa Cruz to visit Barbara Ann Barnett, the marvelous accordionist, pianist and singer who has been part of the Peninsula music scene since the 1960s. A couple of weeks ago, she had surgery to remove a brain tumor.
The diagnosis and surgery were very sudden and unexpected. She has moved in with her son Beau and his family in the Santa Cruz area. Barbara Ann remains quite energetic, verbal and engaging. In lieu of her long hair, she now sports a short Mia Farrow-esque post-surgery haircut. Her great smile, however, is just the same.
For those who would like to contact her, her cell number is 650-815-9252 and her email address is babaccordn@earthlink.net . Barbara Ann would be delighted to join you for lunch or have you bring in something. Her address is
c/o Beau Barnett
2915 Leotar Circle
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
If you would like to visit, contact her daughter-in-law Debra Barnett to schedule a time – Debra’s email is burnsdebraburns@gmail.com .
Barbara Ann's long-term friends Dorothy Bender and Susan Martin have set up a blog with lots of great pictures over the decades, video, music clips and comments from Barbara Ann's friends. You can find that at http://babdesertflower.blogspot.com/ .
Frank Ford tells a good Barbara Ann story from the early days of Gryphon Stringed Instruments, when he and Richard Johnston used to sponsor jams at their shop. Barbara Ann arrived for her first jam and pulled out her accordion. There were quiet groans and much eye rolling among the hardcore bluegrass and old timey players who frequented the jams. However, when she demonstrated that she could nail the fastest fiddle tunes with perfect accuracy, speed, and style, she soon had converts.
Over the years, Barbara Ann has played swing, Western swing, French Musette, Classic Western music in a wide range of groups and settings, fronting her own groups (Mandolin Squeeze, Sagebrush Swing, Jazzum) or playing in other bands (Joe Weed Quintet, Blue Prairie, Daughters of the Purple Sage), and has been a vocalist in the trad jazz style for the past couple of years, also did vocalist duties (just two concerts) with the Golden Gate Radio Orchestra in San Mateo Her accordion work can be heard on many CDs, from local musicians to some of international renown. She has been a regular at the swing jams that precede the Weiser Fiddle Contests for many years.
Barbara Ann seems very much at peace with her medical situation. She knows she's had some great friends, a family she treasures and that she has added to the richness of many people's lives, musically, professionally as a clinical psychologist, published author and otherwise. She seems to relish each visit and contact with her friends. Her voice is still great and, compliments of Merv Graham, she’ll be getting a keyboard soon, so check with her about some music if you visit.
Barbara Anne, I just heard from Rob about your illness. What a drag. But then we are all (well those of us who were so intimately connected in the 60s, at least) going to have to walk this path in the near future. Thank heavens to have family and trends to accompany us.
ReplyDeleteI'll make this short, because I'm having a little problem with Google allowing me to post this, so we'll see if it works. I love you lady and I'm thinking of you and holding you in my prayers and I'll be in touch again soon. Love you dear friend
Barbara, sending you all the love in my heart.... you have been an important person in my life... living and working together "out of the box" was one on the most expanding events of my life...
ReplyDeleteRichard Lipfield
Hi Barbara, More than ever you are an inspiration to me. You are in my thoughts and my heart. Love, Jenny
ReplyDeleteHello Brauma, I keep writing and trying to reach you but I am not successful yet! I will just keep trying. Hugs and love and goodness to you
ReplyDeleteLouise Burnham
authorlouisefburnham@sbcglobal.net
Barbara, I am so grateful to you for walking around in my head and heart since 1974. I have loved you like a baby and like a motherless child and as we walk this seven bridges road together - we have been blessed!
ReplyDeleteThe correct email for me is either
ReplyDeleteauthorlouiseburnham@gmail.com
Or
louisefburnham@sbcglobal.net
Or
408-872-0298
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Luv. I've been thinking about you a lot lately. Some of my favorite memories are: Getting in your little VW and searching antique shops from Felton through Santa Cruz to Soquel for just the perfect chair for your Homer lane place. BY cracky, we found it.
ReplyDeleteAlso a standout memory was bar hopping one night from Palo Alto to the sleaziest saloons of Redwood City. (Well, what I can remember of it anyway) Fun times! Love ya! Oops! I forgot that my google account has my user name as tolnback, so I'll sign this: Brian Simons