About

Born in Nottingham, England, Jeanie was christened Jean Catherine Barton.  The ‘ie’ was added more recently by her adopted by bebop family who jam every Sunday at the Kings Head in Crouch End – almost all the musicians’ names end in ‘y’ or ‘ie’ (Kenny, Danny, Laurie, Lennie, Bukky etc.) and so, she became Jeanie.

Before concentrating on jazz, Jeanie started performing in plays and musicals. While studying at Warwick University she played regularly at Warwick Arts Centre and also ventured into direction.  After graduating, she worked professionally as an actress, but since moving to London in 2001 her career veered mainly towards music.  Having studied jazz harmony at Morley College in London and bebop improvisation with Anita Wardell, Jeanie gigs regularly around the UK to increasing acclaim with her quartet and in other jazz ensembles, including the function band ‘Jazz and Cocktails’.  She has sung backing vocals for Luddy Samms (The Drifters), fronted Al Wynette’s band at the 606 Club and is compere for The Laurie Morgan Trio.  She is proud to work with some of the best musicians on the British Jazz scene today.

Strange but True:

  • Jeanie more or less grew up in a bus depot.
  • She has studied trapeze.
  • Her parents met at their local amateur dramatic society.
  • She learned to sing listening to Vera Lynn and Doris Day…
  • In N.YM.T. Jeanie was a principle in ‘Warchild’ alongside Mika (of ‘Grace Kelly’ fame).
  • She has a Riley 9 1933.
  • And a kitten called Coconut.