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.
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Finding Compassion
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Finding Compassion: Bad things happen to good people. Sounds familiar, because we can all relate. I have never had an instrument stolen from me, but I can ...
Finding Compassion
Bad things happen to good people. Sounds familiar, because we can all relate. I have never had an instrument stolen from me, but I can just imagine how gut-wrenching that must be. Sometime during the week of June 5, 2016, Chapel Hill, NC woodwind player Tim Smith was on his way to a gig when he experienced car trouble. Leaving his car he walked to the performance, and carrying essential equipment he needed for the job, while leaving everything else in his car. After his performance Tim Smith returned to his car only to discover someone had broken-in, stealing two saxophones, a flute, two microphones, and a PA system.
Tim Smith is an inspirational saxophonist who`s positive lyrics and voice has performed in Compiegne, France, Philadelphia, PA, Russia, and North and South Carolina. Tim Smith performs original music and cover songs with a bluesy edge, and jazz sensibility. He plays with technique, soulful expression, and dynamic stage presence.
Those of us who chose music as a career path knows and accepts we will likely not become financially rich playing music. Generally, we love and are passionate about our choice to pursue music. As musicians we bring art, entertainment, and joy to those who come to see us perform. However, life happens to us also. Woodwind player Tim Smith was a victim of theft.
Friends of Tim Smith established a Go Fund Me account raising more than $7,000.00 in two days to replace Tim Smith`s stolen instruments. Congratulations, Tim Smith, and hopefully the money raised in the Tim Smith`s Instrument campaign is enough to replace everything that was stolen from your car. Also, thanks to all who contributed generously to fellow woodwind instrumentalist Tim Smith. This is what it means to be connected to an arts and music community. Remember, there are more good people out there who are kind, compassionate, and caring, than the evil that lurks.
Tim Smith is an inspirational saxophonist who`s positive lyrics and voice has performed in Compiegne, France, Philadelphia, PA, Russia, and North and South Carolina. Tim Smith performs original music and cover songs with a bluesy edge, and jazz sensibility. He plays with technique, soulful expression, and dynamic stage presence.
Those of us who chose music as a career path knows and accepts we will likely not become financially rich playing music. Generally, we love and are passionate about our choice to pursue music. As musicians we bring art, entertainment, and joy to those who come to see us perform. However, life happens to us also. Woodwind player Tim Smith was a victim of theft.
Friends of Tim Smith established a Go Fund Me account raising more than $7,000.00 in two days to replace Tim Smith`s stolen instruments. Congratulations, Tim Smith, and hopefully the money raised in the Tim Smith`s Instrument campaign is enough to replace everything that was stolen from your car. Also, thanks to all who contributed generously to fellow woodwind instrumentalist Tim Smith. This is what it means to be connected to an arts and music community. Remember, there are more good people out there who are kind, compassionate, and caring, than the evil that lurks.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Stepping? Step Afrika!
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Stepping? Step Afrika!: I step from my home to my car, and vice versa at the end of my day, and that`s pretty much it! This blog is not about me walking (stepp...
Stepping? Step Afrika!
I step from my home to my car, and vice versa at the end of my day, and that`s pretty much it! This blog is not about me walking (stepping) to my car and house, but about an art form called stepping, and one of the leading professional companies dedicated to stepping. Step Afrika! is ranked one of the top ten African American dance companies in the US.
Founded in 1994, Step Afrika! is organized as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. Step Afrika! is the first profession company dedicated to stepping. Step Afrika! is devoted to promoting an appreciation for stepping. Based in Washington, DC, Step Afrika! offers workshops, residency programs, and a variety of K-12, and College arts education activities, international cultural exchange programs, and performances, such as in-school programs, youth ensembles, summer camps, and scholars program for arts education offerings.
Beginning as an exchange program with the Soweto Dance Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa, Step Afrika! is a non-profit organization that tours nationally and internationally. Step Afrika! is a professional company that combines South African gumboot dance with African American Stepping.
Step Afrika! combines percussive dance styles practice by African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dance, and a variety of other dance and art forms. Step Afrika! integrates dance with storytelling, songs, humor, and audience participation. Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.
Step Afrika! also collaborates with other arts organizations. Step Afrika! has collaborated with Symphony In Step. This collaboration is a partnership between arts organizations, and combines stepping with classical music.
Founded in 1994, Step Afrika! is organized as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. Step Afrika! is the first profession company dedicated to stepping. Step Afrika! is devoted to promoting an appreciation for stepping. Based in Washington, DC, Step Afrika! offers workshops, residency programs, and a variety of K-12, and College arts education activities, international cultural exchange programs, and performances, such as in-school programs, youth ensembles, summer camps, and scholars program for arts education offerings.
Beginning as an exchange program with the Soweto Dance Theatre of Johannesburg, South Africa, Step Afrika! is a non-profit organization that tours nationally and internationally. Step Afrika! is a professional company that combines South African gumboot dance with African American Stepping.
Step Afrika! combines percussive dance styles practice by African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dance, and a variety of other dance and art forms. Step Afrika! integrates dance with storytelling, songs, humor, and audience participation. Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.
Step Afrika! also collaborates with other arts organizations. Step Afrika! has collaborated with Symphony In Step. This collaboration is a partnership between arts organizations, and combines stepping with classical music.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Christian Talent Showcase In Fort Lauderdale, Flor...
Post-Bop and Avant-Garde Jazz Saxophonist Keith Gamble: Christian Talent Showcase In Fort Lauderdale, Flor...: If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area on Saturday, May 28, 2016, you may want to check-out the Christian Talent Showcase & Art...
Christian Talent Showcase In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you are in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area on Saturday, May 28, 2016, you may want to check-out the Christian Talent Showcase & Artist Awards. This event is reminiscent of my musical performance experience in talent shows. I got my start participating in an informal talent show in elementary school, before I began playing clarinet. We did this as a fun activity in our elementary classroom, and of course I did an instrumental music routine; without an instrument. In high school playing saxophone with the Unique Experience Band, we were the back-up band for various acts participating in our area high school talent show. I was also asked to participate in talent shows when I was a band director at the Cherry Hill School of Performing Arts, in Inkster, MI. For two years I participated in our staff talent show, and won both years; after all I was band director.
Talent shows are valuable for fellowship, and enjoyed by those who participate, and those who watch. For some, talent shows could discover talents of individuals that would never surface without such an event. Talent show discoveries do happen! A talent show could start an artistic or musical career, and be justification for making a career choice in arts and entertainment. Anyone with talent in music, dance, spoken word, comedy, storytelling, drama or acting, with a passion to entertain should consider entering a talent show. Not just individuals, but groups and ensembles may participate to gain experience.
Again, if you are in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I urge you to attend Christian Talent Showcase & Artist Awards, by Finally Famous Productions, on Saturday, May 28, 2016, from 5:00 - 10:00 pm, at Delevoe Hall, 2520 N.W. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. Go to www.Skylacaldwell.net, or call (954)549-6065, or by email at Skylatalent@yahoo.com for further information.
Talent shows are valuable for fellowship, and enjoyed by those who participate, and those who watch. For some, talent shows could discover talents of individuals that would never surface without such an event. Talent show discoveries do happen! A talent show could start an artistic or musical career, and be justification for making a career choice in arts and entertainment. Anyone with talent in music, dance, spoken word, comedy, storytelling, drama or acting, with a passion to entertain should consider entering a talent show. Not just individuals, but groups and ensembles may participate to gain experience.
Again, if you are in Fort Lauderdale, FL, I urge you to attend Christian Talent Showcase & Artist Awards, by Finally Famous Productions, on Saturday, May 28, 2016, from 5:00 - 10:00 pm, at Delevoe Hall, 2520 N.W. 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. Go to www.Skylacaldwell.net, or call (954)549-6065, or by email at Skylatalent@yahoo.com for further information.
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