Len Barnard
Forceful though his playing is in the more extrovert traditional jazz setting of much of his work, Barnard's discreet and propulsive swing, and his able use of brushes, show him to be an accomplished mainstream drummer.
Len "Sluggsie" Barnard was born in Melbourne in 1929 and died in November 2005. One of Australia's finest jazz drummers, he received an honorary life membership of the Musicians Union, was added to the roll of honour at Monsalvat in 1990, and won the Australian Critics Award at the 1991 Gold Coast Festival.
After playing drums in the family band, Barnard formed his own traditional jazz band in the late 40s. This band, one of the earliest Australian groups to make jazz records, was so popular that it remained active for more than two decades. During this same period Barnard also played with other groups, ranging through jazz to dance music and he also gigged and recorded with many musicians, including Ade Monsbourgh and Dave Dallwitz. In the early 70s, Barnard relocated to Sydney where he played with many of the country's leading musicians including Errol Buddle and John Sangster, then joined Galapagos Duck, a band led by Tom Hare. He also played on occasion with bands led by his younger brother, Bob Barnard. In the late 90s he was active with many varied artists and appeared on record with several of them, including Janet Seidel.
There is a 20 minute recorded interview with Len discussing his work with John Sangster on volume 2 of The Lord of the Rings (MD 3252).
Len Barnard is featured on the following titles
The Last Will and Testament of John Sangster
Tony Gould, Len Barnard, Graeme Lyall and friends. A fitting musical tribute to one of Australia's unsung heroes of jazz - John Sangster - by some of this country's top performers.
Performer: Drums
Len Barnard also appears on
Jazz music series 5: Ripper
The fifth and final volume in John Sangster's jazz series of Suites that he wrote for a lively little orchestra featuring some of Australia's finest jazz musicians.
Performer: Drums
Jazz music series 4: Take that
John Sangster's "lively little orchestra", a group of some of Australia's finest jazz musicians, reaches volume four in a series of Suites.
Performer: Drums
Jazz music series 3: Steady lads
This is the third in a series of Suites written by John Sangster for a lively little orchestra comprising some of Australia's finest jazz musicians.
Performer: Drums
Jazz music series 2: Requiem (for a loved one)
Volume 2 out of 5 written by John Sangster and performed by his "fine small orchestra" that includes some of Australia's foremost jazz musicians.
Performer: Drums
Jazz music series 1: Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that doo-wup
As John Sangster put it, "Here is the first in a series of Suites written for this lively little orchestra, a gathering that includes some of Australia's finest jazz musicians."
Performer: Drums
The Lord of the Rings, Volume 3
This is the third volume of jazz composer John Sangster's classic epic musical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'. Originally a double-LP set issued by EMI over 25 years ago it has never been available on CD until now.
Performer: Drums
The Lord of the Rings, Volume 2
Here is the second volume of jazz composer John Sangster's classic epic musical interpretation of The Lord of the Rings. Originally a double-LP set issued by EMI over 25 years ago it has never been available on CD until now.
Performer: Drums, Percussion and Keyboards
The Lord of the Rings, Volume 1
This is not the Howard Shore movie soundtrack but a re-release of jazz/film composer John Sangster's epic attempt to musically portray the events and characters of Tolkien's triology. Not only that, it pre-dates the current film by over 25 years and it's wholly Australian!
