Kathy Barr

Kathy Barr (born Marilyn Sultana Aboulafia; June 4, 1929 – June 21, 2008) was an American vocalist who performed and recorded popular music, jazz, musical theater, and operettas. Barr flourished during the 1950s in nightclubs, television, and radio.[1] She was acclaimed for her soprano range and ability to sing pop, jazz, and classical.

Kathy Barr
Birth nameMarilyn Sultana Aboulafia
Born(1929-06-04)June 4, 1929
New York State, U.S.
DiedJune 21, 2008(2008-06-21) (aged 79)
Hollywood, Florida
GenresPop, jazz,
Occupation(s)Vocalist
LabelsRCA Victor

Personal

Barr was born Marilyn Sultana Aboulafia to parents of Turkish and Spanish ancestry — her father had immigrated from Turkey. When she married Irwin M. Glickman (1930–2011), she ended the commercial aspect of her musical career and devoted herself to her family. She and Irwin had a daughter, Sylvia B. Glickman (born 1966). In 1958, she legally changed her name to Kathy Barr.[2]

Barr, from about April 1954[3] to 1956, had been married to Chicago nightclub owner and operator Milton L. Schwartz. That marriage ended by annulment.

Selected discography

Popular

  • Follow Me, RCA Victor (1957)
  • The Desert Song, RCA Victor (1958)
Giorgio Tozzi & Barr, vocals
Lehman Engel, conductor

Musical theater roles
  • Marinka, as Marinka (leading soprano role)
Winter Garden Theatre, New York
Australia touring production
Tivoli circuit, Melbourne: Opened May 28, 1948, at the Tivoli Theater, Melbourne[4]
At the age of 19, Barr was elevated to the role of Marinka after being the understudy for Kathryn Grayson[5]
Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, August 1 thru August 6, 1949

Selected audio
Giorgio Tozzi & Barr, vocals
RCA Victor (1958)

References
  1. Kathy Barr Sings Anything from Gospel to Blues; She Gives God Credit for Voice, by Dick Kleiner, syndicated through Newspaper Enterprise Association, The Leader Herald Gloversville, New York, December 17, 1957, pg. 12
  2. "Musical Barr", The Chronicle-Telegram (Elyria, Ohio), April 14, 1958.
  3. "Big Name Hunter", by Earl Wilson, Syracuse Herald Journal December 17, 1953, col. 3, 3 to last paragraph
  4. "Operetta Opens at Tivoli" The Argus, May 29, 1948, pg. 3, col. 1
  5. "Tivoli Stage Shows to be Filmed Here", The Argus, April 5, 1948, pg. 3, cols. 1–3 (bottom)
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