Two Suitcases and an Accordion ~ Traveling with the USO Camp Shows
Thursday, January 21 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Downtown Birmingham Public Library Arrington Auditorium 2100 Park Place, Birmingham
Come hear the remarkable story of Barb Sparkes, who performed in the USO Camp Shows in World War II when she was 18 years old. Hear first-hand about her adventures as the intrepid accordionist for a 5-member "Tabloid Troupe" in the US and abroad -- and hear her play her original arrangements of wartime standards on the library's grand piano. Bring along the title of an old favorite song you'd like to hear. There'll be time for questions and requests!
The program is in the fourth-floor auditorium of the Linn-Henley Building. To reach it, go to the third floor of the new library building, cross over to the old building, then take the elevator or stairs up one flight. The library is at 2100 Park Place, at the corner of Richard Arrington, Jr. Blvd., N., and Park Place (between 6th and 8th Avenue North). There's parking in the library's lot. (It's much easier park there in the evening than it is during the day!) For information or directions, call the library at 226-3742.
Barb Sparkes has just released her third CD!
"I'll Be Seeing You ~ Barb Sparkes Plays WWII Hits and Other Standards"
The CD features Barb's original arrangements of 26 favorite songs, including "Sentimental Journey," "White Cliffs of Dover," "Someone to Watch Over Me," and, of course, "I'll Be Seeing You."
The CDs are $15, which includes postage. If you'd like to order a copy, or would like more information about the CD, please e-mail Barb's daughter attlacy@bham.rr.com. The CDs will also be available at the program at the downtown library on January 21st.
Scroll down for more photos and audio samples of Barb's piano playing.
Click on the photo above to hear Barb (second from left ) playing her original arrangement of "Over the Rainbow." (It may take a moment for the file to download.)
Click on the photo above to hear Barb playing her original arrangement of "Stars Fell on Alabama." (It may take a moment for the file to download.)
Last year, I met a feisty and talented woman with a fascinating story to tell, a woman with the appropriately descriptive name of Barb Sparkes. She was seated at the piano at Episcopal Place on Southside, playing dazzling arrangements of the songs that were being requested by the group assembled around the piano -- standards like "I'll Be Seeing You," "Stars Fell on Alabama," and "How Come You Do Me Like You Do Do Do?" I soon learned that the arrangements were all her original interpretations and she was playing completely by ear -- she doesn't use written music.
It turns out that for years, she made a living playing in piano bars and restaurants in her home state of Indiana (she says that "Somewhere My Love" from Dr. Zhivago is the only song that was requested as often as "Stardust"), and her fingers still dance across the keyboard with a light, swooping touch that brings out the wistfulness and romance in those classic songs from the great American songbook. Barb is now, as she says, the same age as the Queen of England and one year older than the Alabama Theatre, but she continues to play with a youthful energy and musical zest that makes the music sparkle. (Click on the photos above for a sample of her playing.)
In 1944, when she was 18 years old, she was hired to play accordion for a 5-member "Tabloid Troupe" that performed at USO Camp Shows for GIs, sailors -- even ski troopers -- in the US and Europe. When I heard her story about that adventurous time -- and heard her play -- I knew I had to help other people meet and hear her. In the program Two Suitcases and an Accordion: Traveling with the USO Camp Shows, Barb shares her story and her lively original arrangements of the music of World War II. Don't miss this chance to hear and meet this talented musician!
