The Wellesley College Alumnae Achievement Award recognizes alumnae who have brought honor to themselves and to Wellesley College through their outstanding achievements. The Award is the highest honor given to alumnae for excellence and distinction in their fields of endeavor and has been presented annually since 1970.
Barbara Lea was honored with this award on February 13, 2009. Below is the video montage presented at the ceremony.
KEY to Barbara Lea DVD Video Montage Approx. 16 minutes
- 2003 Dillon’s NYC with Keith Ingham on piano: “You Meet The Nicest People In Your Dreams”
- 1994 “Hoagy on My Mind” with Bob Dorough, piano and Dick Sudhalter, trumpet at the Ballroom NYC: “In The Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening”
- 2004 Danny’s Skylight Room NYC with Keith Ingham, piano: “Singin’ The Blues”
- 1982 Jazzbo Collins Radio program with Loren Schoenberg’s Big Band: “I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love With Me”
- 1985 Rehearsal with Benny Goodman Orchestra: “The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea”
- 1985 With the Benny Goodman Orchestra (Waterloo Concert): “You’re A Heavenly Thing”
- Mid 1980s with Wes McAfee on piano: “Begin the Beguine”
- 2002 Judy’s Chelsea NYC with Wes McAfee, piano and John Loehrke, bass: “A Lot In Common” / “Ten Cents A Dance”
- Early 1990s Michael’s Pub NYC with Tony Tamburello, piano and Dick Sudhalter, trumpet: “As Long As I Live” / “I’ll Follow My Secret Heart”
- 1996 Barbara Lea in Over The Rainbow at Danny’s Skylight Room with Wes McAfee, piano: “Over The Rainbow”
Barbara regularly took part in Dick Miller’s annual jazz concert series at The Provincetown Art Association and Museum. Here she performs the Burke/Van Heusen song “Humpty Dumpty Heart” (August 2003)
On October 7th, 1985, Benny Goodman led his last television special. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of his breakthrough 1935 California appearances at Sweets Ballroom in Oakland and the Palomar Ballroom in Los Angeles.
This is an excerpt from the set that the band played for dancing before the show began. It was filmed at the Marriott Marquis, 45th and Broadway, New York City.
The show was titled Benny Goodman — Let’s Dance.
Barbara Lea is the vocalist; Rosemary Clooney took her place in the broadcast.
Laurie Frink, John Eckert, Randy Sandke, Paul Cohen — trumpets
Matt Finders, Eddie Bert, Bobby Pring — trombones
Chuck Wilson, Jack Stuckey — alto saxophones
Ken Peplowski, Loren Schoenberg — tenor saxophones
Danny Bank — baritone saxophone
Dick Hyman — piano
James Chirillo — guitar
Bob Haggart — bass
Louis Bellson — drums