Barbara Borden

Barbara Dolores Borden was born August 7th 1945 in Hartford, Conn. She studied percussion at San Francisco State, Expressive Arts at Sonoma State and at two schools in L.A.. Her full biography, picture and discography can be found on Cloud9 Homepage

A recent career highlight for Borden was in Hawaii when she sat in at a local cafe. Everyone was loose and calm. All the musicians were great. When they played there were magical moments and they went off on a journey. This experience set a new standard for what an amazing experience is.

Borden began composing music in college as a percussion major at SF state. Every once in a while she wrote pop songs inspired my some romantic interlude or dilemma. When Borden was in the band Alive, she wrote two songs. When you're an improviser you're always composing but it's not written down. The most in-depth composing Borden has done is her last album, Beauty In the Beat. She recorded track over track and edited out what she didn't want and then went back and wrote out all the notes. Borden has also composed on two albums with Sheilah Glover using computers and some acoustic instruments. It was in 1989 with Cloud 9 Music when she first identified herself as a composer.

Borden commented that she doesn't attach much ego to composing. She always appreciates when music comes through her and she is able to  capture it. Borden commented that composing is interesting right now.  You just need your ears, all the tools they have allow you to cheat.  Though she co-produces with Sheilah Glover, Borden considers herself an  independent artist. Borden studied with many drummers and attended  many performances and does not recall seeing many women drummers.

Vocalists are a big influence of Borden's. While in Alive, Rhianon, as well  as Terry Garthweid and Sheilah Glover inspired her. Rumi poetry  inspires her as well.

          "Whatever gets to my soul gets to my music, anyone who has loved me over the years, all the friends who
  have supported me. I feel really supported all my life, by people close to me. I do not feel supported by the music
  industry,"

          She felt she had chosen a more artistic-off-the-beaten-path musicians  track.

She sees herself as a barrier to her career. Her self confidence has  matured at age 52. She found it easy for her to be slowed down, but not  stopped, by negative critique; now she's learned to not take it personally.  She's had to prove herself over and over, because she is a woman  drummer. Borden said it can be a barrier to be a woman but sometimes  beneficial. At her age Borden knows what she will and will not do as a  performer.  She no longer needs the critical, prove yourself attitude, she
feels she has employed all her life. But she refuses to let her music become  passe she demands  it be totally alive. Borden feels successful knowing she  gave her all, knowing people have connected with her music, and when  paid well. But above all her success hinges upon caring and ful presence  of mind.

Borden would like to be remembered as someone who loved life and  music and channeled her energies to both.  As lover of a good time and  those along for the journey with her. Not to mention she  wishes to leave  behind a legacy of great music. Lately Borden is interested the great Jazz  musician Bill Evans. Her impression of him has changed since she  listened to him at the age of 19. "I can't believe he is dead because his  music is so alive, all the musicians I love who have died, I can turn on  their music and they live on."Borden exclaimed about Evans music.   Borden accompanied one of his recordings of bass and cello after the
  interview, filling the room with an enigmatic joyous spirit resonating  from her drumming.