BARKER, JOHN CRAIG

Jack Barker
Actor, Singer

John Barker got a boost to his career when No, No Nanette bombed in its out-of-town trials in 1924. Producer Harry Herbert Frazee salvaged the production by replacing the stars and adding new songs. When the show opened on Broadway in 1925, Barker and Louise Groody sang one of the hit new songs, “Tea for Two.”

In 1929 Barker starred in the musical Follow Through, which ran for 403 performances. The action took place at a country club during a golf match where Barker is the champ. The show, with music by Ray Henderson and lyrics by “Buddy” De Sylva and Lee Brown, featured a young Eleanor Powell in her second Broadway appearance. Barker introduced the show’s hit love song, “You Are My Lucky Star”.

In Band Wagon (1931), which starred the Astaires, Barker introduced the beautiful “Dancing in the Dark” by Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz. He also appeared in Three Waltzes, based on the music of the Strausses in 1937.

-- Sandra Burlingame

Courtesy of JazzStandards.com

Albums featuring this artist are available for download from ClassicsOnline.com
SEEGER: Vocal, Chamber and Instrumental Works	8.559197