Barbara Knight graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Voice/Music Education. She started singing professionally in 1980 with the Harry Hershey Orchestra. During her 13-year stint with that band, she was the featured band vocalist in the hit show “Stompin’ At The State”, which ran for almost two years at the State Theatre in Cleveland’s Playhouse Square. She also traveled to Miami, Florida with the show “Stompin’ At La Ronde”, which ran for 9 months at the Fountainebleu Hilton.

Since 1993, Barbara has been the female vocalist with the acclaimed Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. She has also performed all over the Tri-State region, working with national big bands such as the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and The Famous Jazz Orchestra. In May of 2001, she entered the recording studio with the 16-piece CJO plus strings to record her first compact disc, “Night And Day.” Since the CD’s release, Barbara has been a frequent guest artist with college jazz ensembles, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and regional big bands, as well as performing at the Lakeland Jazz Fest and the Tri-C Jazz Fest.

In 2006, Barbara formed the Barbara Knight Quintet and a year later the group recorded the CD “Angel Eyes,” featuring a unique collection of arrangements by bassist David Morgan. The quintet can be seen playing in jazz clubs throughout Northeastern Ohio.

“Barbara Knight totally captivated the rapt crowd with her smart but confident voice, imaginative phrasing and appealing stage presence. Her material came in the form of the American song bag, some of it arranged by Knight herself--like 'Sentimental Journey,' in which her sinuous, sensuous phrasing perfectly fit the song’s sentiment.” - Lee Brown, jazz reviewer for The Other Paper, Columbus, Ohio

“To say that Barbara is talented is a gross understatement. Actually, she was terrific, both as a solo voice as well as blending with the group to create the 'ensemble' sound. Tune after tune, they played flawlessly and left the audience spellbound. Every note was finely polished to perfection and presented to a hungry crowd, ready to devour this very organized and refreshingly new sound…the sound of Barbara Knight and her great new band.” - Johnny Mack, as reviewed at www.jazzadvocate.com

“Having not heard Barbara Knight before, I was very surprised by her creativity, maturity, warm voice and excellent improvising skills." - Scott Yanow, jazz critic, Los Angeles Jazz Scene magazine

"I am really enjoying the new swinging CD! Plenty of great stuff. I continue to appreciate the fact that you always are so in tune and never over-sing! The charts and the band sound wonderful!" - Dan Polletta, jazz host, WCPN - FM 90.3