- Bootsie Barnes
Robert "Bootsie" Barnes is an American tenor saxophonist from
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania .Early Years
Barnes began his musical career on
piano at age six, switching to drums at 10. His grandmother gave him asaxophone at the age of nineteen, and he knew he had found his niche. In school, classmates included drummersLex Humphries ,Bill Cosby , and Al "Tootie" Heath; bassistSpanky DeBrest , trumpeterLee Morgan , and a host ofPhiladelphia giants who went on to help shape the maturing sound ofjazz music. Those who had the biggest influence on him were his father, who playedtrumpet withBill Doggett ’s sixteen-piecebig band , and his cousinJimmy Hamilton ,saxophonist and starclarinetist ofDuke Ellington ’s band for twenty-six years.Early career
In the 1960s and early 1970s Barnes played the renowned chitlin circuit which included clubs such as
South Jersey 's Dreamland,Cotton Club , Lauretta's Hi Hat, Pearl's Celebrity Room and Over the Top. His highly articulatedtenor style also gracedAtlantic City ’sClub Harlem and The Wonder Garden. A few of the legendary Philly clubs at which he performed include The Aqua Lounge, Just Jazz,The Blue Note , Nite Cap, The Showboat and Pep’s. Worked with Big Bands of Sam Reed, Johnny Lynch's Club Harlem Band, Bennie Lions,Lloyd Price 's Big Band (under the direction of the greatKenny Dorham ) and theAl Grey Little Big Band.Other Accomplishments
A significant accomplishment for Bootsie was being elected the youngest ever assistant secretary of Philadelphia’s only Black Local #274
American Federation of Musicians where he served from 1971-1974. This organization was a forerunner of today'sClef Club of the Performing Arts which was founded by the late former President of Local #274, Jimmy Adams.Barnes toured, performed and recorded with literally all the great
organists includingShirley Scott , Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson,Jimmy McGriff ,Jack McDuff ,Charles Earland ,Trudy Pitts , Poppa John andJoey DeFrancesco . In the late 1980s, Bootsie toured with his childhood friend and classmateBill Cosby , and made guest appearances on "The Bill Cosby Show " (playing himself) as well as many othertelevision appearances. As recently as 2001 he toured with Cosby, playing thePlayboy Jazz Festival and theNewport Jazz Festival .Bootsie has toured
Europe as well as theUnited States andCanada . He has headlined venues fromNew York ’s famed Birdland to the very prestigious Le Grand Hotel inParis . He has won numerousJazz awards, such as the Marjorie Dockery Volunteer Award from theUrban League Guild ofPhiladelphia andNew York ’s GreaterJamaica Development Corporation Award, and is often listed within the Top Ten Jazz Picks.His hard-edged, highly articulated sound is easily recognizable whether softly caressing a
ballad , or swinging hard, during live performances or on CD. "JazzTimes " magazine described his solos like this "…plays tenor saxophone with self-assured flair and gorgeous depth…" and "…plays in a classic style reminiscent ofGene Ammons andHank Mobley …". He has played a sideman on many recordings and he has released onevinyl album and three CDs as a leader: "Been Here All Along", "You Leave Me Breathless", "Hello", and "Boppin' Round the Center".Discography
As a leader
*"Been Here All Along" – Bootsie Barnes Quartet – Way After Midnight Records
*"Hello" - Bootsie Barnes Quartet – French Riviera Records
*"You Leave Me Breathless" – Bootsie Barnes Quartet – French Riviera Records
*"Boppin' Round the Center" – Bootsie Barnes Quintet – Harvest RecordsAs a sideman
*"Looking Up" – Cullen Knight – Reflection Records
*"Here to Create Music" – Gamble/Huff – Philadelphia International
*"Why Not" – Don Patterson – Muse Records
*"The Saxophone Shop" –Odean Pope Saxophone Choir – Soul Note Records
*"Epitome" - Odean Pope Saxophone Choir – Soul Note Records
*"Comin’ Home" – Poppa John DeFrancesco – Muse Records
*"All in the Family" - Poppa John & Joey DeFrancesco – Muse Records
*"Hip Cake Walk" - Poppa John & Joey DeFrancesco – High Note
*"John Swana Quintet" – Criss Cross Records
*"Philly Gumbo"- Johns Swana - Criss Cross
*"Live at Ortlieb's"- Various Artists - Encounter
*"Open the Gates"- Kenny Gates
*"To Joe With Love"- Juanita HollidayExternal links
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:5h67gjwrj6ib~T1 Robert "Bootsie" Barnes at allmusic.com]
* http://www.bootsiebarnes.com - Bootsie Barnes website
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