Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - ...

Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - ...:      Allan Barnes, Detroit multi-instrumentalist died at the age of 66, on the 25th of July. He was one of the founding members of The Black...

Rest In Peace, Allan Barnes (September 27, 1949 - July 25, 2016)

     Allan Barnes, Detroit multi-instrumentalist died at the age of 66, on the 25th of July. He was one of the founding members of The Blackbyrds. Allan Barnes was not only a great saxophonist, but also a father, brother, uncle, grandfather, teacher, and friend to many.

     Tate Mc Broom said Allan Barnes represented a link between Donald Byrd and J. Dilla. Tate Mc Broom is a drummer and fellow musician with insight on the career of Allan Barnes. Mc Broom comments Allan Barnes was loved and revered in Detroit`s electronic music and jazz communities. Mc Broom played with Allan Barnes for almost 10 years.

     Allan Barnes recorded in 2012, J. Dilla - Requiem. On February 9, 2013, Allan Barnes performed "Think Twice" - an Allan Barnes` Tribute to Donald Byrd, during Dilla Day Detroit 2013.

     Known for his soulful contributions to best-selling jazz-fusion band The Blackbyrds in the mid-1970s, The Blackbyrds, under director and trumpeter Donald Byrd was a back-up band for Donald Byrd. Donald Byrd taught at Howard University in Washington, D.C. While at Howard University, Donald Byrd gathered his best students, which included Allan Barnes. In 1973, Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds released "Black Byrd". The Blackbyrds would go on to spin-off on there own, with Donald Byrd as producer.

     Allan Barnes was introduced to music by his two uncles starting him on clarinet at eight years old. By age 14, one of his uncles gave Allan Barnes a saxophone. After graduating from high school, Allan Barnes enlisted in the US Army, being deployed in Vietnam in 1968, where he played in an Army service band.

     After his service in Vietnam, Allan Barnes returned to Detroit, but not for long. Donald Byrd learned of Allan Barnes from his uncles. They motivated Allan Barnes to go to Howard University. Once Allan Barnes enrolled at Howard University he was quickly accepted in Donald Byrd`s working band.

     Allan Barnes left The Blackbyrds in 1975, and began taking-on new musical projects, such as teaming-up with singer/songwriter John Malone. They formed a group called Malone & Barnes and Spontaneous Simplicity. In 1978, a new collaboration between Barnes and Moore wrote "Disco Dancin`" for A Taste Of Honey, and "Money Makes The World Go Round" in 1998.

     In the 1990s, Allan Barnes resettled in Detroit, MI, and was involved in a number of projects from fusion to post-bop. Allan Barnes became a main fixture in Detroit`s cultural and music scene.

     Allan Barnes died after suffering a heart attack at his home in Detroit. Rest in peace, Allan Barnes, you will be greatly missed.