Allan Curtis Barnes was an American jazz musician, based in Detroit for the majority of his career.
17 Facts About Allan Barnes
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Allan Barnes received his first musical training from his musician uncles, Joe and Robert Barnes.
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In 1967, Allan Barnes enlisted in the United States Army and trained at the Army Element of the US Naval School of Music.
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Allan Barnes was discovered by trumpeter Donald Byrd who insisted that Barnes come to Howard University and play with a new band he was putting together, the Blackbyrds.
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Allan Barnes traveled the world with Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds.
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The band's first album went gold with Allan Barnes writing two of the songs: "Summer Love" and "The Blackbyrds Theme".
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The band's second album, Flying Start, contained the hit single "Walking in Rhythm", with Allan Barnes being featured on flute.
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Allan Barnes has written music for commercials with Larry King, Brenda Sykes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Leslie Nielsen, and Muhammad Ali.
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Allan Barnes penned the music for the PBS movie One Night's Run and the PBS series Small Business Magazine.
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Allan Barnes had a cameo in the Clint Eastwood film Bird.
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Allan Barnes wrote "Until We Meet Again", a classic jazz piece.
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Allan Barnes was seen in the feature role in the PBS special American Jazz Greats: Evolution of the Jazz Saxophone.
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Allan Barnes led the band Giant Steps, which consists of six band leaders: Cliff Monear, Marion Hayden, Rayse Biggs, Sunny Wilkinson, and Gayelynn McKinney.
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Allan Barnes's sound was described as "calling out to the audience and inviting them in with his masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and his significant contributions to the preservation of the history of jazz".
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Allan Barnes was employed by several modern Detroit artists in the Detroit hip-hop scene including Finale, Big Tone, and Stryfe, for all of whom he performed in the studio.
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Allan Barnes is featured on Rebirth of Detroit, along with a wide array of Detroit hip-hop artists, all performing over beats from legendary producer J Dilla.
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Allan Barnes died on July 25,2016, in Detroit after suffering a heart attack.